Federal records document 132 natural disaster events in the Charleston, SC area (ZIP 29401). These include 59 hailstorms, 49 floods, and 9 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $9.4M. These events have resulted in 9 recorded deaths and 9 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Charleston is hailstorms, with 59 recorded events making up 45% of the area's disaster history. Hail-related events have caused a combined $10K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 17, 2023.
There have been 49 recorded floods in this area, representing 37% of all disaster events. Of these, 21 (43%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $8.9M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Mar 9, 2024.
Charleston has experienced 9 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $312.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 30, 2005.
Charleston has experienced 8 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (25%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $233K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 3, 2018.
Charleston has experienced 3 extreme heat events on record. Of these, 2 (67%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for heat-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). 7 fatalities have been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jun 15, 2005.
Charleston has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Apr 19, 2019.
The most significant disaster event on record for Charleston was Flash Flood on Aug 28, 2012, which caused $750K in property damage. Another major event was Flash Flood (Oct 4, 2015), causing $728.5K in damages. Flash Flood on Oct 4, 2015 also caused significant damage ($728.5K).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 29401 has experienced 132 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (59 events), floods (49 events), tornadoes (9 events), blizzards (8 events), extreme heat events (3 events), severe wind events (3 events), and extreme cold event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 45% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Charleston, SC, with 59 events documented. These events have caused a combined $10K in property damage.
Yes, Charleston (ZIP 29401) has 49 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $8.9M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Mar 9, 2024.
Charleston has 9 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 3/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $312.5K. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 30, 2005.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 29401 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Aug 28, 2012. This event caused $750K in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $9.4M in property damage in the Charleston, SC area (ZIP 29401). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced 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 →