Enter any address in Berkeley County, South Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Berkeley County, SC, with 73 occurrences recorded over the last 30 years. These events are often associated with slow-moving weather fronts that interact with moist atmospheric conditions, leading to heavy rainfall. For example, a flash flood event occurred on August 22, 2025, due to a cold front and deep moisture. Another flood event on August 1, 2025, was attributed to a weak warm front and strong thunderstorms.
While less frequent, tropical storms and hurricanes have also impacted the county, with 22 tropical storm events and 5 hurricane events recorded in the same period. Tropical Storm Helene, which made landfall in Florida in late September 2024 as a Category 4 hurricane, was noted for its movement northward through the region.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has seen the highest number of National Flood Insurance Program claims (346) with an average payout of $14,459 and an average water depth of 3.9 feet, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties in Zone X also experience significant claims, averaging $14,462 with a water depth of 4.8 feet. Residents in these zones, as well as those in coastal areas or near waterways, are advised to be particularly aware of potential flood hazards.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
48 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Berkeley County, South Carolina has recorded 116 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 73 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 30 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 (1989–2026)
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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Apr 12, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Aug 31, 2019 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 1, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 1.50M |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 465.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 6, 2024 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 17, 2023 | — |
Flash Flood — Aug 22, 2025
A slow moving cold front encountering an environment displaying deep moisture and moderate instability supported thunderstorms capable of heavy rainfall across Southeast South Carolina.
Flood — Aug 1, 2025
A weak warm front passing across the area encountered deep moisture and warm temperatures, favoring strong thunderstorms across Southeast South Carolina.
Tropical Storm — Sep 27, 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 9, 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 ...
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 ...
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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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.