Coastal Flood Risk in South Carolina
All South Carolina counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index coastal flood score
Coastal Flood risk — seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels — is rated for 11 of 46 South Carolina counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Charleston County carries the state's highest coastal flood score at 99.8, with $36M in expected annual coastal flood losses.
4 South Carolina counties are rated High or Very High for coastal flood, and expected annual losses from coastal flood total roughly $57M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Coastal Flood
| # | County | Coastal Flood Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston County | Very High | 3.65 / yr | $36M | |
| 2 | Beaufort County | High | 3.68 / yr | $10M | |
| 3 | Horry County | High | 3.57 / yr | $4M | |
| 4 | Georgetown County | High | 3.41 / yr | $3M | |
| 5 | Berkeley County | Medium | 3.56 / yr | $3M | |
| 6 | Colleton County | Medium | 3.59 / yr | $1M | |
| 7 | Dorchester County | Low | 3.50 / yr | $542K | |
| 8 | Jasper County | Low | 3.63 / yr | $301K | |
| 9 | Hampton County | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $841 | |
| 10 | Williamsburg County | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $734 | |
| 11 | Marion County | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14 |
11 South Carolina counties with measurable coastal flood risk. See the national coastal flood ranking or all South Carolina counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which South Carolina county has the highest coastal flood risk?
Charleston County has the highest FEMA coastal flood risk score in South Carolina at 99.8 (Very High), with $36M in expected annual losses and about 3.65 events per year.
How many South Carolina counties face significant coastal flood risk?
11 South Carolina counties record measurable coastal flood risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 4 of them are rated High or Very High.