Photo: Melikamp · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in North Myrtle Beach than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Myrtle Beach gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #143 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (80%), then river and rain flooding (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2,847 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 Myrtle Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Myrtle Beach 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 North Myrtle Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #143 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Myrtle Beach’s residents live in 8 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 Myrtle Beach has more expected damage per building than 85% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.4M a year in losses across North Myrtle Beach: $28.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Myrtle Beach flood? Yes: 2,847 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Myrtle Beach, from FEMA’s records: 103.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hugo1,132 claims · $31.7M
- Hurricane Matthew330 claims · $8.2M
- Hurricane Ian190 claims · $7.3M
North Myrtle Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Horry County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Myrtle Beach
Disasters that paid out in North Myrtle Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Myrtle Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian115 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$359K to the City of North Myrtle Beach for repairs190 flood claims paid for it, $7.3M
- 2018Hurricane Florence189 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$500K to the City of North Myrtle Beach for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$12K to the City of North Myrtle Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew277 households applied for aid$279K aid approved$1.6M to the City of North Myrtle Beach for repairs330 flood claims paid for it, $8.2M
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding298 households applied for aid$219K aid approved$203K to the City of North Myrtle Beach for repairs160 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances18 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Charley$85K to the City of North Myrtle Beach for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$194K to the City of North Myrtle Beach for repairs145 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
Horry County has had 19 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Horry County, 2001–2025.
Old photos of North Myrtle Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Myrtle Beach archive →North Myrtle Beach and its neighbors
North Myrtle Beach is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 850 |
| North Myrtle Beach | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 2,847 |
| Little River | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 94 |
| Atlantic Beach | — | 237 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Briarcliffe Acres | — | 448 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Myrtle Beach 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.
- North Myrtle Beach residents get 20% 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 Myrtle Beach
Is North Myrtle Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Myrtle Beach has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #143 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (80%) and river and rain flooding (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Myrtle Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,847 claims in North Myrtle Beach since 1979, $61.9M in all, or 103.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 364 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hugo (1,132).
Is North Myrtle Beach 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 Horry County, 14.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Myrtle Beach?
North Myrtle Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Myrtle Beach?
By FEMA money that reached North Myrtle Beach, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 277 households applied for aid, $279K approved, and $1.6M to the City of North Myrtle Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Hugo: 1,132 paid, $31.7M.
Is North Myrtle Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and North Myrtle Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Myrtle Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Myrtle Beach’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.