Photo: John Rutledge Smith · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in North Charleston than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Charleston gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #156 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 420 claims here since 1979.
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 North Charleston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Charleston 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 North Charleston’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Charleston, and North Charleston’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 26%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #156 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Charleston’s residents live in 33 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, North Charleston has more expected damage per building than 92% of South Carolina towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, North Charleston has higher expected damage per building than 98% (#393 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $145M, is the 65th largest of those 400.
Does North Charleston flood? Yes: 420 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Charleston, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew103 claims · $3.9M
- The October severe storms80 claims · $2.3M
- Hurricane Irma41 claims · $1.3M
North Charleston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Charleston County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Charleston
Disasters that paid out in North Charleston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Charleston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene32 households applied for aid$1K aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$37K to the City of North Charleston for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian488 households applied for aid$217K aid approved$880K to the City of North Charleston for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $196K
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$387K to the City of North Charleston for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence$128K to the City of North Charleston for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$329K to the City of North Charleston for repairs41 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
Show all 13
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,016 households applied for aid$669K aid approved$1.4M to the City of North Charleston for repairs103 flood claims paid for it, $3.9M
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding2,949 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$156K to the City of North Charleston for repairs102 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$63K to the City of North Charleston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$7K to the City of North Charleston for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances225 households applied for aid$186K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Gaston$129K to the City of North Charleston for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$295K to the City of North Charleston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Its 2 counties have 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 North Charleston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Charleston archive →North Charleston and its neighbors
North Charleston is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 57 |
| Charleston | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 5,206 |
| Ladson | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 36 |
| Hanahan | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 187 |
| North Charleston | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 420 |
| Summerville | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 82 |
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 North Charleston 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.
- North Charleston residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Charleston
Is North Charleston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Charleston has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #156 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Charleston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 420 claims in North Charleston since 1979, $12.3M in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 97 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (103).
Is North Charleston 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 Charleston County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 31.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Charleston?
North Charleston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in North Charleston?
By FEMA money that reached North Charleston, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 2,949 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $156K to the City of North Charleston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 103 paid, $3.9M.
Is North Charleston at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and North Charleston’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Charleston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Charleston’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.