Natural Disaster Risk in Folly Beach
South Carolina
Risk Summary for Folly Beach
Folly Beach scores 7.7/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Coastal Flooding.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Folly Beach, South Carolina
Folly Beach is a small community of about 1,125 in Charleston County, near the Atlantic Coast of the southeastern United States. The area experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, with an active hurricane season with direct storm threat to the coastline shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Folly Beach.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Folly Beach carries an overall risk score of 7.7/10, placing it in the high category. Coastal flood risk defines the local natural hazard environment, with sea-level rise trends gradually increasing the frequency of tidal flooding events alongside storm surge threats. The area also faces notable exposure to hurricane and earthquake.
Folly Beach's risk score, slightly above the 6.6/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Charleston County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, hurricane, and earthquake. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Folly Beach residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for coastal flood and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for Folly Beach: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- Coastal flood and storm-surge damage requires separate flood insurance, not standard homeowners coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and monitor tidal and surge forecasts during coastal storms.
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
Local Factors for Folly Beach
These city-level factors differentiate Folly Beach from other communities in Charleston County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
1,125
Small TownGeographic Zone
SE Atlantic Coast
Hurricane & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 32.7°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 9.5/10
Coordinates
32.6664° N, 79.9290° W
Charleston County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Folly Beach
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Folly Beach
Other cities in South Carolina
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.