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FludZone

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Flood Zones

Mount Pleasant east of the Cooper River faces tidal flooding along Shem Creek and storm surge from Charleston Harbor, with rapid suburban growth pushing development into flood-prone areas. The town holds a CRS Class 6 rating as it works to manage flood risk amid continued coastal development pressure.

FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Charleston County

Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.

Inland Flood Risk

Relatively Moderate

Est. annual loss: $44.2M

Coastal Flood Risk

Very High

Est. annual loss: $35.6M

Hurricane Risk

Very High

Est. annual loss: $281.3M

Social Vulnerability: Relatively Low
Community Resilience: Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.

Federal Flood Disaster History: Charleston County

Charleston County has been included in 17 federal flood-related disaster declarations.

2023Hurricane IdaliaHurricane
2022Hurricane IanHurricane
2019Hurricane DorianHurricane
2018Hurricane FlorenceHurricane
2017Hurricane IrmaHurricane
2016Hurricane MatthewHurricane
2015Severe Storms and FloodingFlood
2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationHurricane

...and 9 earlier declarations since 1989.

These declarations affected communities across Charleston County, including Mount Pleasant.

Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.

NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Charleston County

Properties in Charleston County have filed 19,281 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $311.9M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $16K.

Highest-Claim Years

1989

9,499 claims - $181.2M

2015

2,111 claims - $27.9M

2017

1,578 claims - $39.3M

Claims by Flood Zone

Zone A

9,253

Zone AE

6,412

Zone X

2,303

Zone V

818

Zone VE

436

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.

Common Flood Zones in Mount Pleasant

Properties in Mount Pleasant, SC are commonly designated in these FEMA flood zones:

What Your Flood Zone Means in Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Mount Pleasant are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $44.2M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in Mount Pleasant's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.

Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Mount Pleasant means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.

Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Mount Pleasant address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.

CRS Class

Class 6

SFHA Premium Discount

20% off

CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Mount Pleasant's Class 6 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 20% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.

Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.

Check Your Mount Pleasant Address

Enter any Mount Pleasant, SC address to instantly see its FEMA flood zone, risk level, and whether flood insurance is required.

Free Flood Zone Lookup

Mount Pleasant, SC Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Mount Pleasant, SC?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Mount Pleasant are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.

Is flood insurance required in Mount Pleasant?

If your Mount Pleasant property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about 25% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.

How do I check my flood zone in Mount Pleasant?

Enter your Mount Pleasant address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.

Does Mount Pleasant offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Mount Pleasant participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 6 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 20% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.

Has Mount Pleasant experienced major flooding events?

Charleston County, where Mount Pleasant is located, has been part of 17 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Idalia in 2023. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.

How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Mount Pleasant?

Charleston County has recorded 19,281 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $311.9M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1989, with 9,499 claims and $181.2M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Mount Pleasant.

Sources

This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.

Sources last verified: February 2026