Know Your Flood Zone and Get Covered Now

May 2025

Hurricane season begins again on June 1 and along with it a reminder about the importance of maintaining flood insurance separate from other types of insurance policies, particularly given our area's susceptibility to stormwater surges. On Hilton Head Island, flooding may stem from different kinds of natural phenomena such as hurricanes, storm surges, high tides, and heavy rainfall. The only way to mitigate flood-related damage is to be prepared.

As part of our Town's flood program, we work to educate our residents on safeguarding their properties, regardless of where they live. Through our participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), we make certain that federal flood insurance remains accessible to all residents. This program mandates construction techniques to minimize flood damage in areas prone to periodic flooding, as outlined on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Referred to as the 100-year floodplain, this designation encompasses more than 80% of the island. Please get to know your flood zone, potential risks, and associated hazards.

So, let's review: flood insurance is available to all residents and it is a separate policy. Unlike standard homeowner insurance policies, flood insurance provides critical coverage of damages resulting from flooding, flood-related erosion, and flood-caused mudslides. Make sure you review your policy thoroughly; separate coverage is available for building structures and contents. And you don't need a mortgage to purchase flood insurance; renters can get coverage to safeguard personal belongings, regardless of whether the property owner invests in structural coverage.

In addition, any house within an NFIP-participating community is eligible for flood insurance coverage, even if it is located outside high-risk zones. Homes facing lower flood risks qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy. For further details on purchasing flood insurance, visit www.Floodsmart.gov or consult a local licensed insurance agent for optimal rates.

Our community's commitment to sound floodplain management practices has earned us a Class 5 rating from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS). This rating not only reflects our effective flood management but also translates to a potential 25% discount on flood insurance premiums for Hilton Head Island property owners. Since 1991, our Town has been actively involved in FEMA's CRS Program, which evaluates communities based on their effectiveness in managing floodplains. This includes public information dissemination, mapping and regulatory standards, flood damage mitigation, and flood preparedness.

Certified floodplain managers are on hand to provide information and address inquiries regarding local drainage issues, coastal erosion, flood map determinations, flood risk assessments, flood elevation certificates, FIRMs, and construction requirements in particular flood hazard areas. For more information, or to reach a floodplain administrator, please visit https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/flood/insure.cfm.