Natural Disasters in South Carolina: History & Risk Data
30,370 recorded disaster events across 396 ZIP codes.
State Statistics
Event Timeline
Hazard Breakdown
Most Affected ZIP Codes in South Carolina
📊 South Carolina Disaster Profile
South Carolina has experienced 30,370 documented natural disaster events across its 396 ZIP codes. The cumulative documented property damage stands at $10.2B. A total of 1,104 fatalities have been attributed to natural disasters in the state.
⚠️ Hazard Distribution
Hailstorms lead South Carolina's disaster profile with 16,901 events (56%), causing $461.6M in property damage. Other significant hazards include floods (6,632 events, $1.7B in damages), tornadoes (3,364 events, $2.5B in damages), and severe wind events (1,338 events, $58.2M in damages).
📍 Geographic Impact
The most disaster-affected areas in South Carolina include ZIP 29203 (311 events, $33.9M in damages), ZIP 29169 (289 events, $25.5M in damages), and ZIP 29209 (281 events, $30.2M in damages).
📈 Trends Over Time
Disaster frequency in South Carolina has increased markedly over time. The average annual event count in recent decades is roughly 766% higher than in earlier periods of the record. The year 2011 stands out as particularly active, with 2,009 events recorded — likely driven by a major weather system or disaster season.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — South Carolina
What natural disasters occur in South Carolina?
South Carolina has experienced 30,370 documented natural disaster events. The hazard types recorded include hailstorms (16,901), floods (6,632), tornadoes (3,364), severe wind events (1,338), blizzards (1,078), extreme heat events (342), extreme cold events (331), earthquakes (205), wildfires (166), and hurricanes (13). The most common hazard is hailstorms, accounting for 56% of all events.
What are the most disaster-prone areas in South Carolina?
Based on historical records, the most disaster-affected ZIP codes in South Carolina are ZIP 29203 (311 events), ZIP 29169 (289 events), ZIP 29209 (281 events), ZIP 29201 (276 events), and ZIP 29210 (263 events). These areas have the highest concentration of recorded natural disaster events in the state.
How much damage have natural disasters caused in South Carolina?
Natural disasters have caused a documented $10.2B in property damage across South Carolina. This total is based on records from FEMA, NOAA, and USGS, covering events from the 1950s onward. The actual figure is likely higher, as not all events have complete damage records.
About This Data
State-level data aggregated from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →