Natural Disaster Risk in Pawleys Island
South Carolina
Risk Summary for Pawleys Island
Pawleys Island scores 6.6/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hurricane.
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: Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Pawleys Island, in Georgetown County, is a city of approximately 16,966 residents situated near the Atlantic Coast of the southeastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate brings hot, humid summers and mild winters, and in particular an active hurricane season with direct storm threat to the coastline. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Pawleys Island residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Pawleys Island carries an overall risk score of 6.6/10, placing it in the high category. Hurricane and tropical storm exposure tops the local risk profile, with the community vulnerable to storm surge, high sustained winds, and flooding rainfall during the June–November season. The area also faces notable exposure to coastal flood and lightning.
Within South Carolina, Pawleys Island's risk is, near the 6.6/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Georgetown County identifies hurricane as the foremost hazard, followed by coastal flood and lightning. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Pawleys Island's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Pawleys Island: Hurricane preparedness
- Keep at least a week of supplies on hand; power and water service can be disrupted for days after landfall.
- Wind damage is usually covered by homeowners insurance, but storm-surge flooding requires separate flood coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and route before hurricane season begins each June.
Local Factors for Pawleys Island
These city-level factors differentiate Pawleys Island from other communities in Georgetown County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
16,966
SuburbanGeographic Zone
SE Atlantic Coast
Hurricane & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 33.5°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 9.2/10
Coordinates
33.5054° N, 79.1356° W
Georgetown 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 Pawleys Island
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Pawleys Island
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.