On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Laurel Bay, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel Bay gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #161 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Laurel Bay 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
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 Laurel Bay’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laurel Bay, and Laurel Bay’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 12% (lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #161 of 169 in South Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laurel Bay’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical South Carolina town has lower expected damage than 55% of U.S. towns; within the state, Laurel Bay has more expected damage per building than 95% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Laurel Bay: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laurel Bay flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laurel Bay, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $7K
Laurel Bay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beaufort County.The storms Laurel Bay remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Beaufort County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Laurel Bay itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20161 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Matthew, declared for Beaufort County
Beaufort County has had 14 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 Laurel Bay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laurel Bay archive →Laurel Bay and its neighbors
Laurel Bay is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Laurel Bay 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.
- 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 Laurel Bay
Is Laurel Bay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel Bay has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #161 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laurel Bay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Laurel Bay since 2016, $7K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Laurel Bay 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 Beaufort County, 39.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Laurel Bay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laurel Bay’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 Laurel Bay?
By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Laurel Bay at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Laurel Bay’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laurel Bay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laurel Bay’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.