Photo: Evanoco · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Mullins than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mullins gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #129 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1993.
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 Mullins 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
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 Mullins’ grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mullins, and Mullins’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
D #129 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mullins’ residents live in 3 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, Mullins has more expected damage per building than 76% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Mullins: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mullins flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mullins, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $124K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $7K
Mullins isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mullins
Disasters that paid out in Mullins itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mullins), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$25K to the City of Mullins for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence718 households applied for aid$935K aid approved$83K to the City of Mullins for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,550 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$34K to the City of Mullins for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $124K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding364 households applied for aid$133K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$58K to the City of Mullins for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances74 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$109K to the City of Mullins for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$66K to the City of Mullins for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
Marion County has had 18 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 Mullins after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mullins archive →Get ready for what Mullins 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.
- 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 Mullins
Is Mullins at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mullins has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #129 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mullins flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Mullins since 1993, $267K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (3).
Is Mullins 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 Marion County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mullins?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mullins’ 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 Mullins?
By FEMA money that reached Mullins, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 1,550 households applied for aid, $3.4M approved, and $34K to the City of Mullins for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 3 paid, $124K.
Is Mullins at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Mullins’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mullins.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mullins’ 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.