Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Climate Change Risks and Hazards: Flood, Heat (2024)

People in Hilton Head Island, SC are especially likely to experience increased risks from flood, heat, and precipitation.

Heat risk in Hilton Head Island, SC is extreme. Precipitation risk is very high. Drought risk is significant. About 99% of buildings in Hilton Head Island, SC are at risk of flooding, and the risk level for these buildings is very high. About 100% of buildings in Hilton Head Island, SC are at risk of wildfire, and the risk level for these buildings is significant.

Fire and flood risk can vary significantly for individual properties within a city. Check your address for detailed heat, precipitation, fire, flood, and drought risk through 2050.

Of 17 census tracts in Hilton Head Island, SC, there are 17 where more than half of buildings have significant risk from storm surge, high tide flooding, surface (pluvial) flooding, and riverine (fluvial) flooding. Property owners can check a specific address for flood risk including FEMA flood zone, then take steps to reduce their vulnerability to flooding damage.

Climate change is increasing inland and coastal flooding risk due to sea level rise and increasing chances of extreme precipitation. See more information on flooding risk.

In a typical year around 1990, people in Hilton Head Island, SC experienced about 7 days above 95.7ºF in a year. By 2050, people in Hilton Head Island are projected to experience an average of about 30 days per year over 95.7ºF.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, even in places with cooler average temperatures. See more information on heat risk. Everyone can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme heat.

A downpour for Hilton Head Island, SC is a two-day rainfall total over 1.2 inches. Around 1990, about 44.0% of precipitation fell during these downpours. In 2050, this is projected to be about 47.0%. The annual precipitation in Hilton Head Island, SC is projected to increase from about 50.3" to about 52.7".

Extreme precipitation in any form can pose significant risks. Climate change is increasing the potential for extreme rainfall or snowfall because warmer air can hold more water vapor. See more information on storm risk. Property owners can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme precipitation.

Of 17 census tracts in Hilton Head Island, SC, there are 17 where more than a quarter of buildings have significant fire risk, and 17 where more than half of buildings have significant fire risk. Property owners can take steps to mitigate their risks from wildfires.

Fire risk depends on proximity to vegation: densely developed urban areas have a much lower risk of burning than areas adjacent to wildland. Climate change increases risks from wildfire by creating hotter, drier conditions for fires to spread. ClimateCheck ratings of fire risk are based on projected weather conditions and U.S. Forest Service models simulating fire behavior.

The Calibogue Sound-Wright River watershed, which contains Hilton Head Island, SC, has experienced 725 weeks (60% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in drought of any level, and 89 weeks (7% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in Extreme or Exceptional drought. Source: National Drought Monitor.

Climate change is increasing the risk of drought. Water stress (the ratio of water demand to supply) depends on how water utilities source water and their plans to adapt to climate change. Property owners can also take steps to reduce their risks from drought.