Enter any address in Marlboro County, South Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding events have been the most frequent type of flood reported in Marlboro County over the last 30 years, with 14 occurrences. Tropical storms have also impacted the area, with 7 events recorded. A notable period of flooding occurred in August 2024, following the passage of Tropical Storm Debby, which brought significant rainfall and flood conditions to the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with 11 payouts averaging $19,268 and an average water depth of 9.9 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone Unknown also had claims, with average payouts around $17,000 and water depths under one foot.
Residents in Zone A, as well as those in areas prone to flash flooding or located near waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk information. Homeowners in these areas may face a higher likelihood of experiencing flood damage.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
16 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Marlboro County, South Carolina has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 3 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 (1984–2026)
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 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 8, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 30, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 11, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2016 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2016 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2016 | 250.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 8, 2016 | 1.00M |
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...
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...
Tropical Storm — Sep 30, 2022
Hurricane Ian made landfall along the west coast of Florida on September 28, 2022, then moved across the Florida peninsula and exited off the east coast of Florida on September 29, 2022. Ian then moved north and made a second landfall near Georgetown, SC on September 30, 2022. Ian resulted in a variety of impacts across northeast South Carolina from tropical storm force winds to flash flooding,...
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2018
Hurricane Florence began its long Atlantic trek from the Cape Verde Islands in early September. It made landfall near Wrightsville Beach during the morning of September 14th. The barometric pressure at landfall was 959 millibars, or 28.32 inches.The strongest winds were recorded at 106 mph at Cape Lookout, as well as 105 mph measured at the Wilmington International Airport. In addition to the ...
Tropical Storm — Oct 11, 2018
Hurricane Michael made landfall at Mexico Beach in the Florida Panhandle on Oct 10th as a strong Category 4. It weakened to Tropical Storm status as it made its way into the Carolinas. Most of the region received one to two inches of rainfall, with gusts to 50 mph.
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 Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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.