Photo: JayeeDior12 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Orangeburg’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orangeburg gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #119 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (39%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Orangeburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Orangeburg 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
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 Orangeburg’s grade
Hurricanes are 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orangeburg, and Orangeburg’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C #119 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orangeburg’s residents live in 9 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, Orangeburg has more expected damage per building than 70% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Orangeburg: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orangeburg flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orangeburg, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms4 claims · $26K
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $2K
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $16K
Orangeburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orangeburg County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orangeburg
Disasters that paid out in Orangeburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Orangeburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$428K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene3,843 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved$627K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$4K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds277 households applied for aid$435K aid approved$9K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$7K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew909 households applied for aid$416K aid approved$391K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $2K
Show all 10
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding2,370 households applied for aid$811K aid approved$462K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$347K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$141K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$8K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs
Orangeburg County has had 20 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 Orangeburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orangeburg archive →Orangeburg and its neighbors
Orangeburg is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookdale | C+more damage than 62% | hurricanes | — |
| Edisto | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | — |
| Wilkinson Heights | Cmore damage than 69% | hurricanes | — |
| Orangeburg | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 28 |
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 Orangeburg 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.
- 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 Orangeburg
Is Orangeburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orangeburg has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #119 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (39%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orangeburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Orangeburg since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (4).
Is Orangeburg 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 Orangeburg County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orangeburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orangeburg’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 Orangeburg?
By FEMA money that reached Orangeburg, Hurricane Helene (2024): 3,843 households applied for aid, $4.9M approved, and $627K to the City of Orangeburg for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 4 paid, $26K.
Is Orangeburg at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Orangeburg’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orangeburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orangeburg’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.