Enter any address in Dorchester County, South Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Dorchester County, SC, with 62 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Tropical storms and general flooding also contribute to the risk. For example, multiple flash flood events occurred in August 2025 due to slow-moving cold fronts interacting with a moist atmosphere, leading to heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, averaging over $23,000 in payouts and a water depth of nearly 5 feet. Claims were also filed in Zone X, with average payouts around $22,000 and water depths approaching 6 feet. Properties located in Zone A and Zone X may face a higher risk of experiencing significant flood damage. Residents in these areas, as well as those in lower-risk zones like X_UNSHADED, X_SHADED, and UNKNOWN, should be aware of their flood risk and consider appropriate mitigation measures.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
39 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Dorchester County, South Carolina has recorded 99 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 62 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 26 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 |
| 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 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 26, 2024 | 303.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 60.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 5, 2024 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2023 | 30.00K |
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.
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 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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.