Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Moncks Corner than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moncks Corner gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #146 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Moncks Corner’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moncks Corner faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Moncks Corner’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moncks Corner, and Moncks Corner’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 20% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #146 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moncks Corner’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, Moncks Corner has more expected damage per building than 86% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across Moncks Corner: $11.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moncks Corner flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moncks Corner, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby7 claims · $409K
- The October severe storms6 claims · $95K
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $39K
Moncks Corner isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berkeley County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moncks Corner
Disasters that paid out in Moncks Corner itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Moncks Corner), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$58K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $409K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$19K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian$18K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds110 households applied for aid$155K aid approved
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$86K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$45K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2017Hurricane Irma$27K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew352 households applied for aid$189K aid approved$117K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $39K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding1,172 households applied for aid$861K aid approved$37K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances173 households applied for aid$198K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Gaston$6K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs
Berkeley County has had 18 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 Moncks Corner after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moncks Corner archive →Get ready for what Moncks Corner 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Moncks Corner
Is Moncks Corner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moncks Corner has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #146 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moncks Corner flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Moncks Corner since 1982, $585K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (7).
Is Moncks Corner 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 Berkeley County, 82% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moncks Corner?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moncks Corner’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 Moncks Corner?
By FEMA money that reached Moncks Corner, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 1,172 households applied for aid, $861K approved, and $37K to the Town of Moncks Corner for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 7 paid, $409K.
Is Moncks Corner at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Moncks Corner’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moncks Corner.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moncks Corner’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.