Photo: Daniel Christensen · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Latta than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Latta gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1983.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Latta faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Latta’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Latta, and Latta’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Latta’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Latta: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Latta flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Latta, from FEMA’s records: 21.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence9 claims · $301K
- Hurricane Matthew4 claims · $121K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $56K
Latta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dillon County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Latta
Disasters that paid out in Latta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Latta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$29K to the Town of Latta for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence407 households applied for aid$253K aid approved$300K to the Town of Latta for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $301K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$52K to the Town of Latta for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew494 households applied for aid$419K aid approved$543K to the Town of Latta for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $121K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$40K to the Town of Latta for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$68K to the Town of Latta for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances108 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$11K to the Town of Latta for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$6K to the Town of Latta for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the Town of Latta for repairs
Dillon County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Latta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Latta archive →Get ready for what Latta faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Latta
Is Latta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Latta has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Latta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Latta since 1983, $479K in all, or 21.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (9).
Is Latta in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Dillon County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Latta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Latta’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Latta?
By FEMA money that reached Latta, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 494 households applied for aid, $419K approved, and $543K to the Town of Latta for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 9 paid, $301K.
Is Latta at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Latta’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Latta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Latta’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.