Photo: BeaufortTiger · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Walterboro than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walterboro gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #130 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Walterboro faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Walterboro’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Walterboro, and Walterboro’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 16% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
D #130 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Walterboro’s residents live in 7 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, Walterboro has more expected damage per building than 77% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Walterboro: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Walterboro flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Walterboro, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms1 claim · $10K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $2K
Walterboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Colleton County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Walterboro
Disasters that paid out in Walterboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Walterboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene10 households applied for aid$80K to the City of Walterboro for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$221K to the City of Walterboro for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds443 households applied for aid$703K aid approved$159K to the City of Walterboro for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$4K to the City of Walterboro for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew524 households applied for aid$255K aid approved$217K to the City of Walterboro for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding896 households applied for aid$417K aid approved$19K to the City of Walterboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$79K to the City of Walterboro for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$15K to the City of Walterboro for repairs
Colleton 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 Walterboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Walterboro archive →Get ready for what Walterboro 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Walterboro
Is Walterboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walterboro has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #130 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Walterboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Walterboro since 1979, $38K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (1).
Is Walterboro 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 Colleton County, 59% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Walterboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Walterboro’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 Walterboro?
By FEMA money that reached Walterboro, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2020): 443 households applied for aid, $703K approved, and $159K to the City of Walterboro for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Walterboro at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Walterboro’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Walterboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Walterboro’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.