Less hazard damage per building is expected in Tega Cay than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tega Cay gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #10 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Tega Cay 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
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 Tega Cay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tega Cay, and Tega Cay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #10 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tega Cay’s residents live in 3 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, Tega Cay has less expected damage per building than 95% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Tega Cay: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tega Cay flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Tega Cay. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Tega Cay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tega Cay
Disasters that paid out in Tega Cay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tega Cay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene11 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$346K to the City of Tega Cay for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$18K to the City of Tega Cay for repairs
York County has had 16 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 Tega Cay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tega Cay archive →Tega Cay and its neighbors
Tega Cay has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tega Cay | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Baxter Village | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Riverview | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Tega Cay 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.
- 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 Tega Cay
Is Tega Cay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tega Cay has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #10 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Tega Cay 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 York County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tega Cay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tega Cay’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 Tega Cay?
By FEMA money that reached Tega Cay, Hurricane Helene (2024): 11 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $346K to the City of Tega Cay for repairs.
Is Tega Cay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Tega Cay’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tega Cay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tega Cay’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.