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South Carolina was affected by fourteen major disasters between 2014 to 2025. Below is a summary of the overall disaster impact for each event.
In early November 2024, a non-tropical weather system caused major flooding in Orangeburg County, with 12-15 inches of rain falling in just 12 hours. The Edisto River reached a record crest of 15.34 feet, resulting in flash and riverine flooding, the failure of 15-20 dams, and the closure of over 160 roads. Two people died, and more than 70 homes and businesses were damaged. Water service was disrupted, and landmarks like Edisto Memorial Gardens were heavily affected. Governor McMaster declared a state of emergency and later requested federal aid. While a disaster declaration was approved for infrastructure repairs, individual assistance was denied. Public Assistance recovery costs are expected to exceed $30 million.
Hurricane Helene was South Carolina's most destructive storm since Hurricane Hugo in 1989, despite not making direct landfall. Its outer bands cause deadly winds, flooding, and 21 tornadoes, killing 49 people, including two Saluda County firefighters. 1.3 million lost power, over 900 roads were closed, and record river crests triggered widespread evacuations. Over 2,000 homes were destroyed or reported major damage. Governor McMaster requested, and President Joe Biden approved, a major disaster declaration, enabling FEMA and SBA assistance for individuals, businesses, and local governments. Public Assistance Recovery costs exceeded $1.2 billion. Disaster Recovery Centers were set up to help survivors, and recovery efforts across the state are still ongoing.
Hurricane Debby formed in early August 2024 and made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on August 5. It weakened to a tropical storm and moved into South Carolina, where it made a second landfall as a subtropical storm near Bulls Bay on August 8. Governor Henry McMaster had declared a State of Emergency on August 4. Debby brough tornadoes, storm surge, and over 22 inches of rain, causing flash flooding, road closures, power outages, and water rescues across the state. The storm damaged more than 900 homes and caused over $30 million projected public and infrastructure costs. A President Disaster Declaration and Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration were approved for several counties.
Hurricane Idalia began as a Tropical Depression on August 26, 2023, and rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane before weakening to Category 3 at landfall in Keaton Beach, Florida, on August 30. It moved across northern Florida and southern Georgia, reaching South Carolina as a tropical storm. Governor McMaster declared a state of emergency, and the storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, storm surge, and tornadoes. Flooding occurred in Charleston and Edisto Beach, and the Edisto River rose 14.5 feet, prompting evacuations. Peak evacuations affected about 41,000 customers. A federal emergency declaration was approved for 23 counties, but the damage did not meet thresholds for a major disaster or individual assistance.
Hurricane Ian was a Category 5 hurricane when it made landfall along Florida's panhandle on September 28. After exiting Florida, it emerged in the Atlantic Ocean, and on September 30, the storm made landfall near Georgetown as a Category 1 Hurricane. Based on the storm's projected path and the predicted storm surge, state and county leaders determined that evacuation for coastal counties was unnecessary. Storm impacts caused over 300 people to seek shelter, and over 254,000 customers were without power. Over 300 homes were damaged. Estimated costs for infrastructure repair and emergency protective measures are over $41 million.
The clash of cold, dry air over the Central United States and warm, moist air over the Southeast United States set up a significant tornado outbreak from April 12-13, 2020. Several lines of severe storm impacted South Carolina during the night of April 12 and into the morning of April 13. The storm systems generated 28 tornadoes. Nine storm-related deaths were reported in Colleton, Hampton, Oconee, and Orangeburg counties. At the height of the storms, 290,000 customers were without power statewide. There were nearly 300 homes destroyed or with major damage, and over $11 million in infrastructure damage.
Beginning in March 2020, COVID-19 operations required South Carolina's longest State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activation. While a small core group of state agency personnel remained at the SEOC most staff operated remotely. Critical support provided during that period included procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), establishing PPE, establishing a PPE warehouse with a 60-day supply of the five major PPE categories, contracting medical staff for hospital augmentation, and developing and implementing a vaccine distribution plan. Emergency protective measure costs, including additional staff, disinfection, protective barriers, and PPE, are estimated at over $600 million, making the event the costliest emergency in recent years.
On February 6 and February 7, severe storms moved through South Carolina, impacting the western and northwestern counties most heavily. The storm system included heavy rain, strong straight-line winds, and spun up two confirmed tornadoes. Rainfall totals in the most heavily affected counties ranged from 6.6" to 9.27". Local firefighters and state water rescue teams rescued 11 people during the storm, including nine in Greenville County and two in Anderson County. Infrastructure damages totaled over $15 million.
Hurricane Dorian was a Category 5 hurricane that came dangerously close to the South Carolina coast as a Category 2 hurricane requiring a coastal evacuation. The storm caused almost 3,000 people to seek shelter, and over 250,000 customers were powerless. Limited coastal surge and wind damage were associated with this storm, and residential damages were relatively light. Estimated costs for infrastructure repair and emergency protective measures are approximately $65 million. Commercial insurance payments are over $51 million.
Hurricane Florence was a Category 1 hurricane that caused severe damage in eastern South Carolina and evacuation of two-thirds of the coast. Initial storm impacts include nine fatalities, almost 8,000 people in shelters, and almost 190,000 customers without power. While there was limited wind damage and coastal surge associated with this storm, significant inland flooding affected over 15,000 residents. Some areas received over 23 inches of rain resulting in six rivers reaching flood stage. Estimated costs for infrastructure repair are approximately $133 million, and FEMA payments to over 5,000 individuals and families total over $24 million. Small Business Administration loans are over $50 million, National Flood Insurance payments are over $100 million, and commercial insurance payments are over $200 million.
While classified as a major disaster, Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irma was one of the least damaging events to impact South Carolina in recent years. Initially, plans were in place to evacuate the entire coast but were later limited to the barrier islands along the state's southern coast, affecting an estimated 47,000 people. Some areas in the state received as much as nine inches of rain resulting in four fivers at flood stage. Four deaths were attributed to this storm. While wind and flood damage were relatively low, the estimated cost for infrastructure repair was approximately $43 million, but there were no FEMA payments to individuals and families. However, Small Business Administration loans were over $246,000. National Flood Insurance payments were over $55 million, and commercial insurance payments were over $120 million.
Hurricane Matthew was a Category 1 hurricane, and at the time of impact it was the most damaging hurricane to South Carolina in recent years. It was the first storm since Hurricane Floyd in 1999 to require a coastal evacuation. The wind damage was significant, and some areas in South Carolina received over 15 inches of rain resulting in five rivers to reach flood stage. There were five reported deaths, and an estimated 350,000 people evacuated the coast. The estimated cost for infrastructure repairs is approximately $332 million, and FEMA payments to almost 11,000 individuals and families totaled nearly $40 million. Small Business Administration loans were over $60 million. National Flood Insurance payments are over $166 million, and commercial insurance payments are over $878 million.
The 2015 Flood was one of the most devastating natural disasters to affect South Carolina. Some areas in the state received as much as 26 inches of rain resulting in nine rivers reaching flood stage. There were 19 storm-related deaths reported, and as many as 20,000 people were displaced from their homes. The estimated costs for infrastructure repairs are approximately $213 million, and FEMA payments to almost 30,000 individuals and families total almost $90 million. Small Business Administration loans are over $166 million. National Flood Insurance payments are over $140 million, and commercial insurance payments are over $283 million. Over 100,000 South Carolinians were estimated to be impacted by this historic flood.
In February 2014, a powerful winter storm brought significant snow and ice to South Carolina, resulting in widespread disruptions throughout the state. The storm blanketed parts of the Midlands and Upstate with several inches of snow, while coastal and southern areas experienced heavy ice accumulation. Ice-coated trees and power lines resulted in extensive power outages, leaving more than 350,000 customers without power at the peak of the storm. Hazardous road conditions led to school and government closures, and emergency responders responded to numerous accidents and stranded motorists. The storm also caused significant damage to infrastructure and prompted a federal disaster declaration. Cleanup and recovery efforts continued for weeks, particularly in the areas hardest hit by ice.
