FEMA puts Loris’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loris gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #131 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (17%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1981.
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 Loris 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 Loris’ grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Loris, and Loris’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 17% (lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
D #131 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Loris’ 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, Loris has more expected damage per building than 77% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Loris: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Loris flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Loris, from FEMA’s records: 40.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence27 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Matthew8 claims · $93K
- Hurricane Idalia6 claims · $670K
Loris 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Loris
Disasters that paid out in Loris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Loris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian329 households applied for aid$441K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,017 households applied for aid$843K aid approved$611K to the City of Loris for repairs27 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew780 households applied for aid$440K aid approved$345K to the City of Loris for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $93K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding671 households applied for aid$300K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$104K to the City of Loris for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances651 households applied for aid$534K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Charley$2K to the City of Loris for repairs
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$28K to the City of Loris for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$22K to the City of Loris for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
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 Loris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Loris archive →Get ready for what Loris 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 Loris
Is Loris at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loris has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #131 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Loris flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Loris since 1981, $2.3M in all, or 40.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (27).
Is Loris 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 Loris?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Loris’ 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 Loris?
By FEMA money that reached Loris, Hurricane Florence (2018): 1,017 households applied for aid, $843K approved, and $611K to the City of Loris for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 27 paid, $1.2M.
Is Loris at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Loris’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Loris.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Loris’ 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.