Charleston County, South Carolina tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Charleston County...

60confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: September 27, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Charleston County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total601950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthSeptember15 of 60
StrongestF3Sep 11, 1960
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries17whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Charleston County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 4Apr: 8May: 7Jun: 7Jul: 6Aug: 11Sep: 15Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

September is the peak month, with 15 of 60 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 2: 0: 43 AM: 1: 2: 16 AM: 2: 2: 29 AM: 2: 1: 112 PM: 6: 5: 43 PM: 2: 5: 46 PM: 2: 2: 19 PM: 2: 3: 412 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 12:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

80 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 4: 0: 1: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 02000: 2: 1: 2: 0: 2: 1: 8: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 4: 0: 02020: 3: 2: 1: 1: 8: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
31
EF1
25
EF2
3
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, September 11, 1960

8.8 mile path Longest path

12 miles, EF2

May 11, 2008, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, EF2

May 11, 2008
Every tornado

All 60 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 27, 2024EF12.49 mi150 yd00
Sep 27, 2024EF01.96 mi90 yd00
Sep 27, 2024EF02.1 mi125 yd00
Sep 27, 2024EF02.02 mi90 yd00
Aug 5, 2024EF10.71 mi75 yd00
Aug 5, 2024EF03.84 mi200 yd00
Aug 5, 2024EF01.18 mi150 yd00
Aug 5, 2024EF12.89 mi300 yd00
Aug 30, 2023EF02.74 mi100 yd00
Sep 9, 2022EF00.68 mi125 yd00
Jul 8, 2021EF10.82 mi150 yd00
Jul 7, 2021EF11.12 mi100 yd00
May 20, 2020EF10.77 mi300 yd00
Apr 13, 2020EF10.3 mi60 yd00
Apr 13, 2020EF11.25 mi120 yd00
Sep 11, 2017EF00.57 mi90 yd00
Sep 11, 2017EF00.12 mi55 yd00
Sep 11, 2017EF10.43 mi30 yd00
Sep 11, 2017EF01.46 mi60 yd00
Sep 24, 2015EF26.85 mi880 yd00
May 31, 2014EF00.11 mi30 yd00
Aug 1, 2012EF00.03 mi50 yd00
Jun 29, 2008EF00.5 mi1,000 yd00
May 11, 2008EF212 mi1,760 yd00
Jun 13, 2006F00.2 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 8, 20262 ENE Folly BeachNot yet rated
Aug 1, 2026Folly BeachNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

Cities

Cities in Charleston County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Charleston County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.