Photo: Ron Osborne · Public domainFEMA puts Socastee’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Socastee gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #142 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (73%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 523 claims here since 1987.
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 Socastee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Socastee 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 Socastee’s grade
Hurricanes are 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Socastee, and Socastee’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #142 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Socastee’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, Socastee has more expected damage per building than 84% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Socastee: $10.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Socastee flood? Yes: 523 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Socastee, from FEMA’s records: 52.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence194 claims · $20.7M
- Hurricane Matthew102 claims · $8.3M
- Hurricane Floyd35 claims · $890K
Socastee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Horry County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Socastee
Disasters that paid out in Socastee itself (aid to households or repair grants to Socastee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence3 households applied for aid$20K aid approved194 flood claims paid for it, $20.7M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved102 flood claims paid for it, $8.3M
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 Socastee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Socastee archive →Socastee and its neighbors
Socastee is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hill | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 117 |
| Myrtle Beach | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 850 |
| Socastee | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 523 |
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 Socastee 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 Socastee
Is Socastee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Socastee has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #142 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (73%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Socastee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 523 claims in Socastee since 1987, $35.5M in all, or 52.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (194).
Is Socastee 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 Socastee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Socastee’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 Socastee?
By FEMA money that reached Socastee, Hurricane Florence (2018): 3 households applied for aid, $20K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 194 paid, $20.7M.
Is Socastee at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Socastee’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Socastee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Socastee’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.