Photo: Evanoco · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Sellers
Sellers isn’t graded for hazard risk: Sellers has 192 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2015.
What Sellers 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.
Does Sellers flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sellers, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Florence6 claims · $143K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $44K
- The October severe storms1 claim · $85K
Sellers isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sellers
Disasters that paid out in Sellers itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sellers), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence89 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$59K to the Town of Sellers for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $143K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew176 households applied for aid$297K aid approved$4K to the Town of Sellers for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $44K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$9K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances39 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
Marion 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 Sellers after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sellers archive →Get ready for what Sellers 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sellers
Does Sellers flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Sellers since 2015, $305K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (6).
Is Sellers 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 Marion County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sellers?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sellers’ 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 Sellers?
By FEMA money that reached Sellers, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 176 households applied for aid, $297K approved, and $4K to the Town of Sellers for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 6 paid, $143K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sellers.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sellers’ 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.