Enter any address in Horry County, South Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding in Horry County, SC, accounting for over 100 events in the last 30 years. These events can be triggered by various weather systems, including nor'easters that tap into tropical moisture, as seen on October 12, 2025, leading to significant rainfall and flash flooding. Summer thunderstorms have also contributed, causing flooding on June 5, 2025.
In addition to flash floods, Horry County has experienced tropical storms, coastal floods, and storm surges. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $25,360 and an average water depth of 2.2 feet. Claims in Zone V also show substantial payouts and water depths. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those in Zone A or V, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
66 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Horry County, South Carolina has recorded 166 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 105 flash floods and 32 river or area floods. The county has received 34 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 |
| Covington Drive Fire | Fire | Mar 1, 2025 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A nor'easter developed off the South Carolina coast. The low was able to tap into tropical moisture leading to very heavy rain and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 11, 2025
Record high levels of moisture paired with a mid level disturbance produce corridors of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Flood — Aug 11, 2025
Record high levels of moisture paired with a mid level disturbance produce corridors of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 5, 2025
Thunderstorms training over the same area led to mostly minor/nuisance flooding and one instance of flash flooding in SC.
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2024
After making landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on August 5, Debby weakened to a tropical storm as it slowly moved across southeastern Georgia and offshore before making another landfall along the central SC coast between Charleston and Georgetown. The storm then moved northwest to near the SC/NC border and weakened to a tropical depression on August 8 before qui...
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 Horry 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 Horry 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.