Enter any address in Charleston County, South Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Charleston County experiences frequent coastal flooding, with flash flooding also being a significant concern. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 301 flash flood events and 284 coastal flood events. Recent examples include coastal flooding observed on October 25, 2025, when tide levels reached 7.91 ft MLLW at the Charleston Harbor tide gage, leading to moderate impacts.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $16,032 and an average water depth of 2.7 feet. Zone V properties, typically more exposed to wave action, have fewer claims but higher average payouts ($23,601) and water depths (3.9 feet). Residents in coastal areas and those in Zone A or V should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
260 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Charleston County, South Carolina has recorded 693 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 301 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 27 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 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sep 6, 2017 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 11, 2025 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 10, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 9, 2025 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 24, 2025
Deep moisture residing across the area in advance of low pressure developing and passing off the coast led to an environment capable of flooding in poorly drained areas.
Flash Flood — Aug 23, 2025
Mid-level energy tracking across the region along with a deep moisture and modest instability residing near a stalled front led to an environment supportive of heavy rainfall across Southeast South Carolina.
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.
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 11, 2025
Persistent and strong northeast winds resulting from high pressure inland and low pressure offshore led to coastal flooding along coastal Southeast South Carolina.
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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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.