FEMA puts Lugoff’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lugoff gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #43 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2013.
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 Lugoff 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 Lugoff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lugoff, and Lugoff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #43 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lugoff’s residents live in 5 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, Lugoff has less expected damage per building than 75% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Lugoff: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lugoff flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lugoff, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $76K
- The October severe storms1 claim · $5K
Lugoff isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kershaw County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lugoff
Disasters that paid out in Lugoff itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lugoff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene312 households applied for aid$251K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $76K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding439 households applied for aid$342K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Kershaw County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lugoff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lugoff archive →Get ready for what Lugoff 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 Lugoff
Is Lugoff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lugoff has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #43 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lugoff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Lugoff since 2013, $104K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Lugoff 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 Kershaw County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lugoff?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lugoff’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 Lugoff?
By FEMA money that reached Lugoff, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 439 households applied for aid, $342K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $76K.
Is Lugoff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Lugoff’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lugoff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lugoff’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.