Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Mauldin’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mauldin gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #37 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 71 claims here since 1982.
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 Mauldin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mauldin 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Ice storms
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 Mauldin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mauldin, and Mauldin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #37 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mauldin’s residents live in 7 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, Mauldin has less expected damage per building than 79% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Mauldin: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mauldin flood? Sometimes: 71 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mauldin, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Cindy7 claims · $60K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Michael1 claim · $1K
Mauldin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenville County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mauldin
Disasters that paid out in Mauldin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mauldin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene3,011 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$986K to the City of Mauldin for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2005Severe Ice Storm$75K to the City of Mauldin for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances2 households applied for aid$102 aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$78K to the City of Mauldin for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
Greenville County has had 16 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Greenville County, 2016–2025.
Old photos of Mauldin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mauldin archive →Mauldin and its neighbors
Mauldin has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mauldin | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Greenville | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 112 |
| Conestee | — | 776 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Mauldin 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.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Mauldin
Is Mauldin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mauldin has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #37 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mauldin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 71 claims in Mauldin since 1982, $1.4M in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Cindy (7).
Is Mauldin 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 Greenville County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mauldin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mauldin’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 Mauldin?
By FEMA money that reached Mauldin, Hurricane Helene (2024): 3,011 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $986K to the City of Mauldin for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Cindy: 7 paid, $60K.
Is Mauldin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Mauldin’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mauldin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mauldin’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.