Hampton County Courthouse · Photo: Ffuhr · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Varnville than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Varnville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2023.
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 Varnville 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
Earthquakes
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 Varnville’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Varnville, and Varnville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Varnville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Varnville: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Varnville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Varnville, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Idalia2 claims · $72K
Varnville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hampton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Varnville
Disasters that paid out in Varnville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Varnville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene554 households applied for aid$541K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds56 households applied for aid$113K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew130 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$47K to the Town of Varnville for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$39K to the Town of Varnville for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$963 to the Town of Varnville for repairs
Hampton County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Varnville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Varnville archive →Varnville and its neighbors
Varnville is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 7 |
| Varnville | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 2 |
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 Varnville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Varnville
Is Varnville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Varnville has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Varnville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Varnville since 2023, $72K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Idalia (2).
Is Varnville 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 Hampton County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Varnville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Varnville’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 Varnville?
By FEMA money that reached Varnville, Hurricane Helene (2024): 554 households applied for aid, $541K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Idalia: 2 paid, $72K.
Is Varnville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Varnville’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Varnville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Varnville’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.