Enter any address in Orangeburg County, South Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding is the dominant flood character in Orangeburg County, with 66 events recorded by NOAA over the last 30 years. This type of flooding can occur rapidly, as seen in November 2024 when record rainfall rates of over 2-4 inches per hour led to widespread flash flooding across the southern Midlands, including northern Orangeburg County. Tropical storms have also contributed to flood events, with 8 recorded in the same period.
Flood events have resulted in fatalities, with 2 deaths reported from 9 flood events. NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $35,568 and an average water depth of 5.3 feet. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen higher average payouts ($44,264) despite a lower average water depth (2.1 feet).
Residents in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk. Given the prevalence of flash flooding, properties in low-lying areas or those without a demonstrated Base Flood Elevation (BFE) may be at higher risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
43 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Orangeburg County, South Carolina has recorded 83 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 66 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 31 federal disaster declarations, 3 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Nov 6, 2024 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 2.00M |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 27, 2024 | 4.90M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 7, 2024 | 0.00K (2 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2023 | 100.00K |
Flood — May 12, 2025
A high-end EF-1 tornado struck the community of Langley, SC overnight on May 12th. The tornado was embedded within an area of heavy rain in an otherwise unfavorable environment to severe weather across the area. It was the only severe report of the event other than some minor flash flooding that was reported later that morning across northern Orangeburg county.
Tropical Storm — Sep 27, 2024
Tropical Storm Helene formed in the NW Caribbean Sea on September 24. Helene moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened into a hurricane on September 25. Helene made landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida the night of September 26 before quickly moving inland into east central Georgia by early morning on September 27. Helene weakened to a strong tropica...
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2024
Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Debby occurred across South Carolina for several days resulting in areas of flash flooding. There was also an isolated severe thunderstorm on the 6th.
Flash Flood — Nov 7, 2024
Record setting rainfall occurred across portions of the southern Midlands as a stalled front and a deep plume of tropical moisture caused rain rates of over 2-4 per hour for over six hours. Hurricane Rafael in the Gulf of Mexico contributed to the influx of extremely anomalous moisture. Northern Orangeburg and western Calhoun counties received over 10 and the surrounding counties saw over 6 as ...
Flood — Nov 7, 2024
Record setting rainfall occurred across portions of the southern Midlands as a stalled front and a deep plume of tropical moisture caused rain rates of over 2-4 per hour for over six hours. Hurricane Rafael in the Gulf of Mexico contributed to the influx of extremely anomalous moisture. Northern Orangeburg and western Calhoun counties received over 10 and the surrounding counties saw over 6 as ...
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 Orangeburg 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 Orangeburg 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.