Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Manning faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manning gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #126 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2015.
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 Manning 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 Manning’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manning, and Manning’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 16% (lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D #126 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manning’s residents live in 2 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, Manning has more expected damage per building than 74% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Manning: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manning flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manning, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms4 claims · $13K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $10K
Manning isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clarendon County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manning
Disasters that paid out in Manning itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manning), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew309 households applied for aid$138K aid approved$39K to the City of Manning for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1,906 households applied for aid$888K aid approved$270K to the City of Manning for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances94 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$31K to the City of Manning for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the City of Manning for repairs
Clarendon 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 Manning after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manning archive →Get ready for what Manning 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 Manning
Is Manning at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manning has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #126 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manning flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Manning since 2015, $23K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from October severe storms (4).
Is Manning 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 Clarendon County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manning?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manning’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 Manning?
By FEMA money that reached Manning, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 1,906 households applied for aid, $888K approved, and $270K to the City of Manning for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 4 paid, $13K.
Is Manning at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Manning’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manning.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manning’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.