FEMA puts Surfside Beach’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surfside Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #134 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (81%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 567 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 Surfside Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Surfside 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 Surfside Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Surfside Beach, and Surfside Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 12% (lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D #134 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Surfside Beach’s residents live in 6 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, Surfside Beach has more expected damage per building than 79% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Surfside Beach: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Surfside Beach flood? Yes: 567 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Surfside Beach, from FEMA’s records: 133.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hugo311 claims · $13.1M
- Hurricane Matthew39 claims · $824K
- Hurricane Floyd35 claims · $413K
Surfside Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Horry County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Surfside Beach
Disasters that paid out in Surfside Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Surfside Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$11K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$193K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs35 flood claims paid for it, $887K
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$68K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence9 households applied for aid$267 aid approved$83K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$13K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew95 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$7.9M to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs39 flood claims paid for it, $824K
Show all 11
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding44 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$48K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs26 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$147K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Charley$46K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$176K to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs35 flood claims paid for it, $413K
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 Surfside Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Surfside Beach archive →Surfside Beach and its neighbors
Surfside Beach has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfside Beach | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 567 |
| Garden City | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 1,532 |
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 Surfside 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.
- Surfside Beach residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Surfside Beach
Is Surfside Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surfside Beach has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #134 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (81%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Surfside Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 567 claims in Surfside Beach since 1979, $16.6M in all, or 133.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hugo (311).
Is Surfside 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 Surfside Beach?
Surfside Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Surfside Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Surfside Beach, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 95 households applied for aid, $18K approved, and $7.9M to the Town of Surfside Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Hugo: 311 paid, $13.1M.
Is Surfside Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Surfside Beach’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Surfside Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Surfside 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.