Photo: Pollinator · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Murrells Inlet than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murrells Inlet gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #158 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (84%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 stands out about Murrells Inlet’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Murrells Inlet 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 Murrells Inlet’s grade
Hurricanes are 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Murrells Inlet, and Murrells Inlet’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #158 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Murrells Inlet’s 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, Murrells Inlet has more expected damage per building than 93% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.7M a year in losses across Murrells Inlet: $13.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Murrells Inlet flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Murrells Inlet, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence2 claims · $219K
- The October severe storms1 claim · $38K
Murrells Inlet isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Georgetown County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Murrells Inlet
Disasters that paid out in Murrells Inlet itself (aid to households or repair grants to Murrells Inlet), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian159 households applied for aid$210K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence149 households applied for aid$62K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $219K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew361 households applied for aid$204K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding229 households applied for aid$143K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Georgetown County has had 19 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 Murrells Inlet after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Murrells Inlet archive →Murrells Inlet and its neighbors
Murrells Inlet is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden City | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 1,532 |
| Murrells Inlet | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 3 |
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 Murrells Inlet 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 Murrells Inlet
Is Murrells Inlet at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murrells Inlet has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #158 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (84%) and river and rain flooding (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Murrells Inlet flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Murrells Inlet since 2015, $257K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (2).
Is Murrells Inlet 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 Georgetown County, 20.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Murrells Inlet?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Murrells Inlet’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 Murrells Inlet?
By FEMA money that reached Murrells Inlet, Hurricane Ian (2022): 159 households applied for aid, $210K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 2 paid, $219K.
Is Murrells Inlet at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Murrells Inlet’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Murrells Inlet.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Murrells Inlet’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.