Walnut Grove Plantation · Photo: P. Hughes · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Roebuck than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roebuck gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #28 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Roebuck 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Roebuck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roebuck, and Roebuck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #28 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roebuck’s residents live in 5 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, Roebuck has less expected damage per building than 84% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $494K a year in losses across Roebuck: $359K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roebuck flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roebuck, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Roebuck isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Spartanburg County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roebuck
Disasters that paid out in Roebuck itself (aid to households or repair grants to Roebuck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,181 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Spartanburg 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 Roebuck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roebuck archive →Roebuck and its neighbors
Roebuck 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkwright | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Roebuck | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Roebuck 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Roebuck
Is Roebuck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roebuck has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #28 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roebuck flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Roebuck since 1998, $253K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Roebuck 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 Spartanburg County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roebuck?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roebuck’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 Roebuck?
By FEMA money that reached Roebuck, Hurricane Helene (2024): 2,181 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved.
Is Roebuck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Roebuck’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roebuck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roebuck’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.