More hazard damage per building is expected in Little River than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little River gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #144 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (77%), then river and rain flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 94 claims here since 1989.
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 stands out about Little River’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Little River 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 Little River’s grade
Hurricanes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Little River, and Little River’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #144 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Little River’s residents live in 4 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, Little River has more expected damage per building than 85% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Little River: $8.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Little River flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Little River, from FEMA’s records: 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms34 claims · $742K
- Hurricane Matthew14 claims · $295K
- Hurricane Floyd11 claims · $264K
Little River isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Horry County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Little River
Disasters that paid out in Little River itself (aid to households or repair grants to Little River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian73 households applied for aid$56K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $184K
- 2018Hurricane Florence242 households applied for aid$104K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew209 households applied for aid$80K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $295K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding497 households applied for aid$696K aid approved34 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances54 households applied for aid$57K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Horry County has had 19 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Horry County, 2001–2025.
Old photos of Little River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Little River archive →Little River and its neighbors
Little River is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Myrtle Beach | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 2,847 |
| Little River | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 94 |
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 Little River 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 Little River
Is Little River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little River has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #144 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (77%) and river and rain flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Little River flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in Little River since 1989, $2.0M in all, or 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from October severe storms (34).
Is Little River 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 Horry County, 14.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Little River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Little River’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 Little River?
By FEMA money that reached Little River, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 497 households applied for aid, $696K approved. By flood claims, October severe storms: 34 paid, $742K.
Is Little River at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Little River’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Little River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Little River’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.