Union Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Union’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #15 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (15%). 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 Union 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
Earthquakes
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 Union’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Union, and Union’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #15 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Union’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, Union has less expected damage per building than 92% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Union: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Union flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Union. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Union isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Union
Disasters that paid out in Union itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Union), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene4,059 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Union for repairs
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$3K to the City of Union for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$71K to the City of Union for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$292K to the City of Union for repairs
Union 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 Union after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Union archive →Union and its neighbors
Union 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Monarch Mill | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Union 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Union
Is Union at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #15 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Union 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 Union County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Union?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Union’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 Union?
By FEMA money that reached Union, Hurricane Helene (2024): 4,059 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Union for repairs.
Is Union at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Union’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Union.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Union’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.