South Carolina Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
South Carolina faces severe flood risk from hurricane storm surge along its Atlantic coast, heavy rainfall from tropical systems, and riverine flooding from the Pee Dee, Santee, and Congaree rivers. The October 2015 flood and Hurricane Florence in 2018 demonstrated the state's extreme flood vulnerability.
2 of 46 South Carolina counties are rated high or very high for inland flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. 31 communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System, qualifying residents for flood insurance discounts of up to 35%.
South Carolina has recorded 49,595 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $1.0B in payouts. See how South Carolina compares in our nationwide NFIP claims data breakdown.
FEMA Region
Region 4
Also covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, +4 more
NFIP Policies
220,028
Avg. Premium
$710/yr
South Carolina Flood Risk Overview
County-level risk ratings from FEMA's National Risk Index across 46 South Carolina counties.
Inland Flood Risk
2 of 46 counties rated high or very high
Coastal Flood Risk
4 of 11 coastal counties rated high or very high
Hurricane Risk
15 of 46 counties rated high or very high
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment.
Federal Flood Disaster History
South Carolina has received 25 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, severe storms, and coastal storms.
Declarations by Decade
Recent Declarations
Showing 8 most recent of 25 total declarations.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
South Carolina properties have filed 49,595 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.0B in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout in 2025 was $23,128.
Recent Years
Claims by Decade
Highest-Claim Years
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage in South Carolina
Only roughly 1 in 9 households in South Carolina carries NFIP flood insurance (11% of estimated households). 40 of 46 counties have elevated flood risk but low insurance coverage. With 2,083 recorded flood events and $231.4M in damage, many flood losses in this state are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
11%
roughly 1 in 9 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 4
49,595 claims over 45+ years across 220,028 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$20,867
Per claim, state-wide since 1978
Historically, South Carolina has averaged 1 claim for every 4 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI.
Repetitive Loss Properties in South Carolina
South Carolina has 3,892 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 496 severe repetitive loss properties. 100 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
3,892
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
496
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
100
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 3,873 of 3,892 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events in South Carolina
NOAA has recorded 2,083 flood events in South Carolina since 1996, causing an estimated $231.4M in property and crop damage and 31 deaths.
Total Events
2,083
Total Damage
$231.4M
Fatalities
31
Events by Decade
Costliest Events
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation in South Carolina
FEMA has funded mitigation for 1,459 properties in South Carolina, investing $20.2M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
Properties by Action
Mitigation by Decade
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Mitigated Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Insurance Discounts in South Carolina
31 South Carolina communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), earning flood insurance premium discounts for residents in Special Flood Hazard Areas. CRS classes in South Carolina range from 3 to 9, with discounts from 5% to 35%.
Class 3 - 35% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 5 - 25% discount
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only. CRS classes and discounts are subject to change.
South Carolina Cities
Explore flood zone information for major cities in South Carolina.
South Carolina Flood Zone FAQ
How do I check if my South Carolina property is in a flood zone?
Enter your SC address in FludZone's free lookup tool. We query FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer in real-time to show your flood zone designation, whether flood insurance is required, and your property's risk level.
Do I need flood insurance in South Carolina?
If your South Carolina property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), meaning zones starting with A or V, and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not subject to the federal mandate but lenders may still require coverage, and it is often recommended given South Carolina's flood history.
What are the most common flood zones in South Carolina?
The most common FEMA flood zone designations in South Carolina are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone A, Zone X. Each zone reflects a different level of flood risk, from high-risk areas where flood insurance is generally required for federally regulated or government-backed mortgages to lower-risk areas where coverage is optional but recommended.
Can I remove my South Carolina property from a flood zone?
Yes, if your South Carolina property's natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in the SFHA, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) through FEMA. If your property was raised above the BFE with fill, the process is a LOMR-F. Note that for coastal properties in VE zones, LOMAs are less common because wave action creates risks beyond still-water elevation. A successful LOMA generally removes the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement, but your lender may still choose to require coverage. You'll need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor.
Do any South Carolina communities offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes, 31 South Carolina communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for exceeding minimum flood mitigation standards. Residents in participating communities can receive NFIP premium discounts of up to 35% in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Properties outside the SFHA also benefit: CRS classes 1 through 6 receive a 10% discount, and classes 7 through 9 receive a 5% discount on NFIP premiums. Check your city's page on FludZone to see if your community participates.
How much does flood insurance cost in South Carolina?
The average NFIP flood insurance premium in South Carolina is $710 per year across 220,028 active policies. Premiums vary by zone: Zone AE policies average $839/yr. Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, your specific premium depends on property type, elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation, and distance to water, not just your flood zone designation.
Which South Carolina counties have the highest flood risk?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Greenville, Richland are among South Carolina's highest-risk counties for inland flooding. Overall, 2 of 46 South Carolina counties are rated "High" or "Very High" for inland flood risk. County-level ratings account for historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
How many NFIP flood insurance claims has South Carolina had?
South Carolina has recorded 49,595 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.0B in payouts since 1978. The highest-claim year was 1989, with 14,879 claims and $361.9M in payouts. This history reflects cumulative flood damage to South Carolina properties across decades of storm and rainfall events.
How many South Carolina properties have flooded repeatedly?
South Carolina has 3,892 properties with multiple flood losses. Of these, 496 are classified as Severe Repetitive Loss, meaning they have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000 or more, or two or more claims where the total exceeds the building value. 100 of these properties have been mitigated.
What percentage of South Carolina homes have flood insurance?
Only roughly 1 in 9 households in South Carolina carries NFIP flood insurance (11% of estimated households). 40 counties in South Carolina have elevated flood risk but low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Understanding Flood Zones
Learn more about the FEMA flood zone designations common in South Carolina.
Insurance & Cost
Do I Need Flood Insurance?Flood Insurance CostsNFIP vs Private InsuranceRisk Rating 2.0Community Rating SystemBuying in a Flood ZoneFlood Zone DeterminationInsurance Waiting PeriodFlood vs Homeowners InsuranceInsurance Outside the SFHAZone X Flood InsuranceFlood Zones & Property ValueLook Up Any South Carolina Address
Enter a SC address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.