Does Charleston have its own hazard scores?

No. Charleston inherits South Carolina’s statewide ratings. Use this page to see which peril matters most locally (Hurricanes), then verify the exact address — two streets in Charleston County can differ.

What should I check first in Charleston?

Start with Hurricanes in South Carolina, then a ZIP lookup and the FEMA or USGS map that matches that hazard.

Charleston, South Carolina home risk profile

What this page is

Charleston sits in Charleston County, South Carolina. This is a local briefing: it names the hazard that usually matters most here (Hurricanes), then shows the statewide ratings South Carolina homeowners use to decide what official map to open. It is not a flood-zone letter or an insurance quote.

Confirm the neighborhood with a ZIP lookup.
Open Hurricanes in South Carolina.
Verify the address on the official maps in the sidebar, then read a matching guide.

Charleston is in Charleston County, South Carolina. Low-lying Charleston faces hurricanes, king-tide flooding, storm surge and extreme heat — among the most insurance-stressed housing markets on the East Coast.

The ratings below are state-level summaries used across South Carolina. Actual risk varies by neighborhood — always verify your address on FEMA flood maps, your county emergency management site and the official sources linked from each hazard page.

How to read the Charleston snapshot

Charleston is in Charleston County, South Carolina. This page does not score individual streets. It tells you which statewide hazards matter most here, then points you to the official map for the address you care about.

The local focus is Hurricanes in South Carolina. Wind and flood are often different policies. A hurricane can trigger both. Check whether you have a percentage hurricane deductible.

Highest statewide ratings that apply in Charleston

Flooding — Major. South Carolina faces a high level of flood risk from hurricanes and tropical storms, slow-moving river floods, flash…
Hurricanes — Major. South Carolina is rated Level 4 out of 5 for hurricane risk, with the entire state vulnerable to wind, storm surge, and…
Extreme Heat — Major. Extreme heat is a serious and recurring hazard across South Carolina, where high humidity pushes the heat index into…

What to do before you buy or renew in Charleston

Look up the ZIP on our ZIP tool so you land on this city or the South Carolina profile.
Open the Hurricanes page and follow the official map links in the sidebar.
Confirm preparedness guidance with South Carolina Emergency Management Division.

Other South Carolina city briefings: Columbia, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston.

Hazard ratings for South Carolina

These are state-level scores used across Charleston. Use them as a starting point, then verify your exact address with the official maps linked on each hazard page.

Flooding South Carolina faces a high level of flood risk from hurricanes and tropical storms, slow-moving river floods, flash flooding and coastal… Major Hurricanes South Carolina is rated Level 4 out of 5 for hurricane risk, with the entire state vulnerable to wind, storm surge, and flooding. Coastal… Major Extreme Heat Extreme heat is a serious and recurring hazard across South Carolina, where high humidity pushes the heat index into dangerous territory… Major Severe Storms South Carolina experiences frequent severe thunderstorms, especially from March through August, bringing damaging winds, hail, lightning,… Major Tornadoes South Carolina faces a moderate tornado risk, rated 3 out of 5, with tornadoes possible statewide in every month. Risk often peaks in… Moderate Earthquakes South Carolina experiences earthquakes, primarily in the coastal Lowcountry around Charleston and Summerville. The state is rated level 3… Moderate Drought Drought is a recurring, often multi-year hazard in South Carolina, even though the state averages roughly 48 to 50 inches of rain a year.… Moderate Wildfires South Carolina has a moderate wildfire risk (Level 2 of 5). Wildfires most often occur in late winter through spring and in fall, with the… Minor Winter Storms Winter storms in South Carolina are relatively rare but can bring damaging ice, sleet, and occasional snow. The Upstate and higher… Minimal Landslides Landslides in South Carolina are relatively uncommon overall, but the state's mountainous Upstate region—especially the Blue Ridge… Minimal

What the ratings mean

"MinimalMinorModerateMajorExtreme

Each rating is a statewide starting point, framed for a typical 30-year stay — the length of a standard mortgage. A neighborhood can look different from the state average. Always verify your address with official FEMA, NOAA or USGS maps.

Save this profile as a PDF for your records or insurance file.

Using the Charleston profile

Does Charleston have its own hazard scores?: No. Charleston inherits South Carolina’s statewide ratings. Use this page to see which peril matters most locally (Hurricanes), then verify the exact address — two streets in Charleston County can differ.
What should I check first in Charleston?: Start with Hurricanes in South Carolina, then a ZIP lookup and the FEMA or USGS map that matches that hazard.
Will homeowners insurance cover Hurricanes here?: Wind and flood are often different policies. A hurricane can trigger both. Check whether you have a percentage hurricane deductible.

Last updated: October 8, 2026. Ratings are state-wide estimates — always verify your specific address with official sources.

Guides for South Carolina homeowners

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InsuranceExcess Flood Insurance: Coverage Above NFIP's $250,000 LimitThe NFIP caps flood coverage at $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents. If your home would cost more to rebuild,…Oct 15, 2026Read guide →