Photo: Zach Sharpe · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Westminster faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westminster gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #36 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). 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 Westminster 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
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 Westminster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westminster, and Westminster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #36 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westminster’s residents live in 2 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, Westminster has less expected damage per building than 79% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Westminster: $468K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westminster flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Westminster. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Westminster isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oconee County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westminster
Disasters that paid out in Westminster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westminster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$38K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,136 households applied for aid$614K aid approved$211K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds33 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$45K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2005Severe Ice Storm$44K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances17 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
Oconee County has had 17 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 Westminster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westminster archive →Get ready for what Westminster 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.
- 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 Westminster
Is Westminster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westminster has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #36 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Westminster 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 Oconee County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westminster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westminster’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 Westminster?
By FEMA money that reached Westminster, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,136 households applied for aid, $614K approved, and $211K to the City of Westminster for repairs.
Is Westminster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Westminster’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westminster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westminster’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.