Georgetown is the seat of Georgetown County and one of the oldest planned towns in the state, laid out in 1729 on a four-by-eight block grid that still holds many original homes. Its historic waterfront, its port and its low ground give it a very different risk profile from inland towns: storm surge, tidal river flooding and heavy summer rain all matter here.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral service that passes callers along to restoration contractors who operate independently of us. Reach us at (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to find an independent contractor who works in Georgetown. More about our model is on the how it works page.
Four rivers, a bay and a direct hurricane history
Wikipedia notes that Hurricane Hugo struck south of Georgetown in September 1989, and its winds and surge pushing up the rivers flooded and damaged the city. Hurricane Ian made its final landfall near the city around 2 p.m. on September 30, 2022, as a Category 1 storm. The National Weather Service in Wilmington reported that surge flooded Front Street and downtown businesses with several inches of water, and water along Bolick Street reached slightly over 2 feet above the ground. Annual precipitation averages about 55 inches, with July and August the wettest months at roughly 7 inches each.
Georgetown County has been named in twelve FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000, including Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Frances (2004), the 2015 floods, Hurricane Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), Florence (2018), Dorian (2019), a 2020 outbreak of severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds, Ian (2022) and Tropical Storm Debby (2024). Rising seas have also pushed brackish water farther up the Waccamaw River.
Water damage restoration in Georgetown's older and low-lying homes
Homes in and around the historic grid often have raised wood floors over crawl spaces, older plumbing and roofs that take a beating from summer storms. A failed supply line, a leaking water heater, or an AC condensate pan overflowing during muggy months can soak subfloors before anyone notices.
Contractors commonly measure moisture in framing and floor joists, extract water and dry with dehumidifiers and air movers. Older heart pine and plaster may need slower, more careful drying. See water damage restoration and property damage reconstruction for both halves of the job.
Federal disaster declarations that included Georgetown County
FEMA records show Georgetown County was included in 12 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (7 hurricane, 2 severe storm, 1 tropical storm, 1 flood, 1 severe ice storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Georgetown was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Tropical Storm Debby (DR-4835)
- 2022 – Hurricane Ian (DR-4677)
- 2020 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (DR-4542)
- 2019 – Hurricane Dorian (DR-4464)
- 2018 – Hurricane Florence (DR-4394)
- 2017 – Hurricane Irma (DR-4346)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Georgetown?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Georgetown property.
Lessons from the 2013 Front Street fire
On September 25, 2013, a fire engulfed seven historic buildings on the 700 block of Front Street, and more than 200 firefighters from ten departments, along with the Coast Guard, worked to contain it. Closely built older structures with shared walls let smoke and flames spread from one building to the next.
For homes and businesses hit by fire, restoration typically includes securing the building, soot cleanup, contents cleaning and deodorization. Our fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup pages go deeper. Owners of buildings in the Georgetown Historic District should ask about any review requirements before rebuilding exteriors.
Surge, tidal rivers and hurricane cleanup
At only a few feet above sea level, much of the city can take on water when surge pushes into Winyah Bay and up the rivers, as Hugo showed. Floodwater carrying salt, mud and sewage contaminates everything it touches, and the Waccamaw's brackish water has been linked to vibrio bacteria risk, so skin protection during cleanup is important.
Hurricane damage cleanup and flood damage restoration usually mean removing soaked drywall, insulation and flooring, sanitizing, and drying the structure before any rebuild.
Mold in a warm, wet coastal climate
With July highs averaging around 91 degrees and frequent summer downpours, the Lowcountry climate keeps humidity high for months. Mold can appear within a couple of days on wet drywall, carpet backing or crawl space framing.
EPA guidance says areas smaller than about 10 square feet are often manageable for a homeowner. After flooding, or when growth covers more than that, consider mold remediation from a qualified contractor who uses containment and verifies the area is dry.
Safety checklist for Georgetown residents
- Leave when evacuation orders are issued and follow Georgetown County emergency management instructions.
- Call 911 for fire, gas leaks, injuries or anyone trapped by rising water.
- Wear waterproof boots and gloves during flood cleanup and cover any cuts; brackish or flood water can carry bacteria.
- Keep power off in flooded areas until an electrician confirms it's safe.
- Photograph damage, save samples of damaged flooring, and call your insurer. Flood, wind and fire may fall under different policies, so confirm what yours covers.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Georgetown that callers often mention include:
- Georgetown Historic District
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Georgetown):
- Murrells Inlet · 19 mi
- Garden City · 22 mi
- Socastee · 27 mi
- Myrtle Beach · 32 mi
- Conway · 35 mi
- Red Hill · 43 mi
Georgetown restoration FAQs
Which hurricanes have hit Georgetown directly?
Hurricane Hugo struck just south of the city in 1989, flooding it with river surge, and Hurricane Ian made landfall near Georgetown in 2022. The county has also been included in FEMA declarations for Florence, Matthew, Dorian and others.
Is floodwater along the Waccamaw River a health risk?
It can be. Brackish water reaching farther up the river has been tied to increased risk of vibrio bacteria. Wear protective gear, avoid contact with open wounds, and treat all floodwater as contaminated.
My historic house took on water. Do I have to tear out the plaster?
Not always. If drying begins quickly and the plaster is still sound, a contractor with historic-home experience may be able to dry it in place. Ask for moisture readings before agreeing to demolition.
How do I get help with storm or water damage in Georgetown?
Call (866) 937-3230 once everyone is safe. We'll try to connect you with an independent contractor in the area who can inspect the damage and give you a written estimate.
Restoration guides
- Hurricane Damage Cleanup
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Water Damage Restoration
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Property Damage Reconstruction
- Mold Remediation