Photo: Nicholemacgregor · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lexington faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lexington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #71 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1986.
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 Lexington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 Lexington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lexington, and Lexington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #71 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lexington’s residents live in 13 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, Lexington has less expected damage per building than 58% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Lexington: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lexington flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lexington, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms2 claims · $513K
Lexington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lexington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lexington
Disasters that paid out in Lexington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lexington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene4,433 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$440K to the Town of Lexington for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1,034 households applied for aid$801K aid approved$2.1M to the Town of Lexington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$11K to the Town of Lexington for repairs
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$40K to the Town of Lexington for repairs
Lexington County has had 17 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 Lexington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lexington archive →Lexington and its neighbors
Lexington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Red Bank | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Columbia | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Lexington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Lexington
Is Lexington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lexington has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #71 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lexington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Lexington since 1986, $519K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from October severe storms (2).
Is Lexington 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 Lexington County, 67% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lexington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lexington’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 Lexington?
By FEMA money that reached Lexington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 1,034 households applied for aid, $801K approved, and $2.1M to the Town of Lexington for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 2 paid, $513K.
Is Lexington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Lexington’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lexington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lexington’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.