On FEMA’s figures, North Hartsville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hartsville gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #99 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2003.
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 North Hartsville 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Hartsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Hartsville, and North Hartsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #99 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Hartsville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical South Carolina town has lower expected damage than 55% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Hartsville has more expected damage per building than 58% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $907K a year in losses across North Hartsville: $593K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Hartsville flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Hartsville, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence2 claims · $71K
North Hartsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Darlington County.The storms North Hartsville remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Darlington County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Hartsville itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20182 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Florence, declared for Darlington County
- 20031 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20041 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Frances, declared for Darlington County
Darlington 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 North Hartsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Hartsville archive →North Hartsville and its neighbors
North Hartsville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartsville | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| North Hartsville | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Hartsville 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 North Hartsville
Is North Hartsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hartsville has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #99 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Hartsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in North Hartsville since 2003, $210K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (2).
Is North Hartsville 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 Darlington County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Hartsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Hartsville’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 North Hartsville?
By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 2 paid, $71K.
Is North Hartsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and North Hartsville’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Hartsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Hartsville’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.