Know Your Flood Hazard
- Flood insurance is highly recommended. Remember, even if the last storm or flood missed you and even if your home has been flood proofed, the next flood could be worse. Local insurance agents can sell a flood insurance policy under rules and rates set by the Federal government through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- Under federal law, the purchase of flood insurance is mandatory for all federal or federally related financial assistance for the acquisition and/or construction of buildings in high-risk flood areas (Special Flood Hazard Areas or SFHAs).
- Any agent can sell a policy and all agents must charge the same rates.
- Any house can be covered by a flood insurance policy, as long as the community participates in the NFIP. (Yes-Horry County is an NFIP participant)
- It does not matter if it is in the mapped floodplain or out of it.
- Detached garages and accessory buildings are covered under the policy for the lot's main building.
Check out your local drainage situation.
- Does water flow away from your house or does it tend to stand next to your walls?
- Is the ditch, stream or storm sewer that takes water away clear of debris or obstructions?
- Do the downspouts from your roof gutters direct water well away from your house?
- Do you have a sump pump? If so, does it direct water well away from your house?
Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Horry County Stormwater Management office at 843-915-5160
Find out your storm surge risk.
- What evacuation zone is your residence located in?
- What type of risk is your residence in for storm surge?
- Do you have an evacuation plan?
Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Horry County Emergency Management office at 843-915-5150
Flood Warning Information
- Know where to obtain flood warning information when potential flooding may occur. Understand the differences between a flood watch and flood warning.
- Have multiple ways of receiving emergency alerts.
- NOAA weather radios, wireless emergency alerts (WEA), and smartphone apps are all good options to obtain flood warning information.