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Charleston County, South Carolina
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1955 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
61
Tornado reports
300
Hail reports
595
Floods since 1996
1,975
All events
22
Deaths
$48.3M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Charleston County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 60 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported a traffic accident related to winter weather conditions, resulting in a fatality.
The media reported a vehicle fully submerged in flood waters along Omni Boulevard, trapping and drowning a 72 year old female.
Local broadcast media reported that 3 people were rescued from a rip current at Folly Beach near a no swimming zone at Folly Beach County Park. No lifeguards were on duty as their daily coverage had already ended and beachgoers present at the time went into the water to help. A 6…
Two swimmers were reported in distress near the West 3rd Street beach access in a rip current. One swimmer made it to the beach safely. The second swimmer, a 28 year old male, was pulled from the ocean near the Folly Beach pier. CPR was administered and the individual was transpo…
Storm total snowfall amounts generally ranged from 2 to 6 inches across Charleston County. The precipitation started as rain then changed to freezing rain in the morning, before a prolonged period of snow began. One report of a quarter of an inch of ice accumulation was received …
A 23 year old male drowned between Stations 23 and 24 on Sullivans Island due to a rip current.
Between 1:45 pm and 2:00 pm EDT, three rip currents were reported near and north of the Isle of Palms county park. Two of the rip currents were about 100 yards north of the 21st Street beach access and another just south of the pier. A 20 year old male was pulled from the water n…
Local media reported a 73 year old woman drowned after she drove off a parking lot into a retention pond. Witnesses say she could not see the sharp drop-off from the parking lot to the retention pond due to heavy rain at the time. The woman was transported to Roper Hospital where…
An oak tree that was 3 feet in diameter was knocked down by the wind, landing on a truck traveling on County Line Road off of Highway 165. The driver and a passenger in the vehicle were killed.
Two kayakers went into the surf off of Kiawah Island. They were swept offshore where the kayak overturned. One person was rescued 18 hours later. The other perished and the body was recovered on May 11th.
Lightning killed a man while he was working in a field.
A non-severe wind gust knocked down a rotten tree which landed on a car traveling along Highway 17 in Awendaw. One passenger in the car was killed.
A 38 year old man was struck and killed by lightning as he huddled near a beach umbrella that his family was under.
An elderly female died in North Charleston due to the heat.
A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed a tornado on Johns Island. The tornado touched down near Cane Slash Road where one home had a portion of its roof ripped off. The tornado then tracked to the north-northwest and crossed Maybank Highway and Brownswood Road, ca…
The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported a large wildfire started on March 23 in northern Charleston County, 5 miles north-northeast of McClellanville, South Carolina. The wildfire was fully contained on March 25. The wildfire burned 2600 acres over the 3 day period, resul…
A confirmed EF-2 Tornado initially touched down along Bears Bluff Road on Wadmalaw Island, where minor damage was observed. The damage at the initial touchdown location was confined to several trees getting sheared off near the base or twisted to the ground. The Tornado then trav…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Emergency management reported a tree down near 16 Pearl Avenue.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Emergency management reported trees down near 6187 Bears Bluff Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Emergency management reported a power line down near at the 5800 Block of Chisolm Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Emergency management reported power lines down at the 2100 Block of Falcon Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Emergency management reported a tree down on 26th Avenue on Isle of Palms.
Rip Current Rip Current
Folly Beach lifeguards reported 1 rescue near Stand 33 due to a moderate strength rip current.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Law enforcement and emergency management reported King Street at Huger Street, Ogier Street, Hagood Avenue at Fishburne Street, Rutledge Avenue between Calhoun Street and Bennett Street, Ashley Avenue at Fishburne Street, Lockwood Drive ramps onto Calhoun Street, Washington Stree…
Rip Current Rip Current
Isle of Palms lifeguards reported a rescue due to a rip current directly in front of stand 11.
Hail Hail
A retired NWS employee reported penny sized hail in the Village Green subdivision.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A wind gust of 58 mph (50 knots) was measured at the Charleston International Airport (KCHS).
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
The local criteria for an Extreme Cold Warning is temperature or wind chill of 10 degrees or less. A wind chill temperature of 10 degrees or less was ongoing at the Charleston Executive Airport (KJZI), the Charleston International Airport (KCHS), the Charleston Weatherflow site (…
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
The local criteria for an Extreme Cold Warning is temperature or wind chill of 10 degrees or less. The wind chill temperature first fell below 10 degrees at the Charleston Executive Airport (KJZI) at 20:55 EST, the Charleston International Airport (KCHS) at 20:56 EST, the Charles…
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Light snow fell across Charleston County and produced accumulations ranging from a trace up to an inch. This includes a daily total of 0.7 inches at the Charleston International Airport (KCHS) which set a new daily record, surpassing the previous record of 0.6 inches from 1977.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Light freezing rain and freezing drizzle produced a light glaze of ice, mostly on elevated and exposed surfaces across much of the county. Ice did not impact roadways or other infrastructure.
Law enforcement reported 6 collisions involving 8 vehicles along Highway 7 on the Cosgrove Bridge, resulting in 2 injuries. Additionally, law enforcement reported 4 collisions involving 6 vehicles along Interstate 526 on the Don Holt Bridge, leading to no injuries.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
The Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) site at the Charleston International Airport (KCHS) measured a minimum wind chill value of 20 degrees (F).
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported the intersection of Fishburne Street and Hagood Avenue closed due to coastal flooding.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported the intersection of Lockwood Drive and Broad Street closed due to coastal flooding.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported the intersection of Society Street and Washington Street closed due to coastal flooding.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported water rising from Shem Creek was beginning to enter businesses along the creek.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported Hagood Avenue closed between Line Street and Allway Street due to coastal flooding.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported Long Point Road closed due to coastal flooding.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
A maximum tide level of 8.00 ft MLLW (2.24 ft MHHW) was observed at the Charleston Harbor tide gage. Major coastal flooding typically begins along the coasts of Charleston and Colleton counties when tide levels reach 8.0 FT MLLW (2.24 ft MHHW) in the Charleston Harbor.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
A fire department reported the intersection of Oakwood Avenue and Carmela Court flooded due to saltwater inundation.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
A fire department reported the intersection of Bainbridge Avenue and the Bainbridge Connector flooded due to saltwater inundation.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported a total of 35 roads closed by the City of Charleston due to coastal flooding.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported Beaufain Street closed between Gadsden Street and Barre Street due to coastal flooding.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
A member of the public submitted a photo on MyCoast.org showing a home being severely undermined by high tide and rough surf in the Beachwood East community on Wild Dunes.
Coastal Flood Coastal Flood
Emergency management reported Fishburne Street and Hagood Avenue closed due to coastal flooding.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 0 |
| 2025 | 125 | 0 |
| 2024 | 64 | 9 |
| 2023 | 74 | 1 |
| 2022 | 71 | 1 |
| 2021 | 59 | 2 |
| 2020 | 72 | 3 |
| 2019 | 73 | 0 |
| 2018 | 49 | 0 |
| 2017 | 50 | 4 |
| 2016 | 85 | 0 |
| 2015 | 154 | 1 |
| 2014 | 44 | 1 |
| 2013 | 97 | 0 |
| 2012 | 76 | 1 |
| 2011 | 69 | 0 |
| 2010 | 60 | 0 |
| 2009 | 118 | 0 |
| 2008 | 130 | 2 |
| 2007 | 41 | 0 |
| 2006 | 91 | 8 |
| 2005 | 33 | 1 |
| 2004 | 33 | 2 |
| 2003 | 15 | 0 |
| 2002 | 28 | 2 |
| 2001 | 14 | 1 |
| 2000 | 18 | 2 |
| 1999 | 19 | 0 |
| 1998 | 21 | 0 |
| 1997 | 18 | 2 |
| 1996 | 12 | 0 |
| 1995 | 19 | 1 |
| 1994 | 6 | 0 |
| 1993 | 3 | 0 |
| 1992 | 7 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 5 | 0 |
| 1989 | 5 | 0 |
| 1988 | 6 | 0 |
| 1987 | 7 | 0 |
| 1986 | 7 | 1 |
| 1985 | 6 | 0 |
| 1984 | 12 | 1 |
| 1983 | 6 | 0 |
| 1982 | 2 | 1 |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 1 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | 3 | 0 |
| 1976 | 2 | 1 |
| 1975 | 4 | 0 |
| 1974 | 2 | 1 |
| 1973 | 3 | 0 |
| 1971 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970 | 1 | 1 |
| 1968 | 7 | 1 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 6 | 4 |
| 1965 | 1 | 1 |
| 1964 | 3 | 1 |
| 1963 | 3 | 0 |
| 1962 | 1 | 0 |
| 1961 | 3 | 1 |
| 1960 | 3 | 1 |
| 1957 | 3 | 1 |
| 1956 | 1 | 0 |
| 1955 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Charleston County, measured to its path.
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