Horry County, South Carolina tornadoes

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60confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: December 17, 2023, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(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 Horry County

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The record

At a glance

Total601950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthSeptember13 of 60
StrongestF3Aug 17, 1965
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries121whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 1Feb: 1Mar: 5Apr: 4May: 5Jun: 6Jul: 5Aug: 7Sep: 13Oct: 7Nov: 3Dec: 3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

September is the peak month, with 13 of 60 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 2: 2: 16 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 5: 212 PM: 4: 4: 93 PM: 5: 3: 76 PM: 2: 1: 49 PM: 3: 2: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 21960: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 4: 0: 2: 3: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 31980: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 1: 12000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 4: 42020: 4: 0: 3: 2: 0: 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.

By rating

EF0
24
EF1
24
EF2
10
EF3
2

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, August 17, 1965

0.3 mile path Longest path

16 miles, F2

March 28, 1984, whole path Widest

353 yards, F2

March 28, 1984
Every tornado

All 60 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Dec 17, 2023EF12.35 mi150 yd00
Aug 30, 2023EF01.62 mi30 yd00
May 27, 2022EF00.99 mi20 yd00
May 27, 2022EF00.99 mi15 yd00
Apr 5, 2022EF15.4 mi50 yd00
Oct 11, 2020EF02.27 mi20 yd00
Oct 11, 2020EF10.3 mi30 yd01
Sep 25, 2020EF00.19 mi25 yd00
Jan 13, 2020EF01.21 mi45 yd00
Oct 19, 2019EF00.87 mi25 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF00.3 mi25 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF00.09 mi15 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF14.76 mi75 yd00
Sep 16, 2018EF00.14 mi30 yd00
Sep 16, 2018EF00.41 mi30 yd00
Sep 16, 2018EF00.09 mi15 yd00
Jul 23, 2018EF00.06 mi15 yd00
Oct 23, 2017EF10.36 mi75 yd00
Feb 15, 2017EF14.92 mi60 yd00
Oct 8, 2016EF01.53 mi25 yd00
Jun 29, 2013EF00.07 mi50 yd00
Jun 29, 2013EF00.11 mi30 yd00
Aug 12, 2009EF01.12 mi40 yd00
Mar 15, 2008EF00.27 mi25 yd00
Jul 11, 2007EF10.06 mi10 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

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