Enter any address in Beaufort County, South Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Beaufort County experiences a mix of flood types, with flash floods being the most frequent event over the last 30 years, followed by coastal flooding and tropical storm events. Recent events include coastal flooding in October 2025, attributed to strong northeast winds and astronomical influences, and flash flooding in August 2025, caused by slow-moving thunderstorms with heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $15,228 and an average water depth of 1.1 feet. Zone X, despite fewer claims, shows a higher average payout of $25,151 and an average water depth of 3.0 feet. Coastal properties, particularly those in Zone V, and homes located in areas with lower elevation or without Base Flood Elevation (BFE) protection may warrant the most attention regarding flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
29 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Beaufort County, South Carolina has recorded 114 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2024 |
| Hurricane Idalia | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2023 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 25, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Aug 31, 2019 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 8, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 10, 2025 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | 110.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 5, 2024 | — |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Aug 30, 2023 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 30, 2023 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 29, 2022 | — |
Flash Flood — Aug 16, 2025
A weak cold front encountering deep moisture led to slow moving thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall across Southeast South Carolina.
Coastal Flood — Oct 10, 2025
Strong northeast winds resulting from high pressure inland and developing low pressure offshore along with astronomical influences associated with a recent full moon and perigee led to coastal flooding along coastal Southeast South Carolina.
Tropical Storm — Sep 26, 2024
Helene first developed into a tropical storm in the northwest Caribbean Sea in the late morning of September 24, and strengthened into a hurricane near the Yucatan peninsula about 24 hours later. Helene continued to strengthen and became a major hurricane as it moved to the north-northeast across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida in the late even...
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2024
Debby first developed into a tropical storm about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida late afternoon on August 3rd, then gradually strengthened to a strong tropical storm while tracking north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on August 4th. Debby then reached hurricane force strength late on August 4th about 100 miles west-northwest of Tampa, before continuing a north-northeast track ...
Flood — Aug 5, 2024
Debby first developed into a tropical storm about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida late afternoon on August 3rd, then gradually strengthened to a strong tropical storm while tracking north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on August 4th. Debby then reached hurricane force strength late on August 4th about 100 miles west-northwest of Tampa, before continuing a north-northeast track ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Beaufort County, South Carolina:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Beaufort County, South Carolina that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.