Pickens County, South Carolina tornadoes

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35confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1961). Most recent: May 3, 2025, EF0. 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 Pickens County

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The record

At a glance

Total351950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthApril7 of 35
StrongestEF3Apr 13, 2020
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries39whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 2Feb: 3Mar: 5Apr: 7May: 5Jun: 1Jul: 2Aug: 6Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 2Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 7 of 35 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 3: 13 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 112 PM: 3: 6: 33 PM: 1: 2: 06 PM: 2: 4: 19 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 2: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 1: 3: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 02020: 3: 0: 3: 2: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
10
EF1
16
EF2
7
EF3
1
Unknown
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

Deadliest

EF3, April 13, 2020

1 deaths, 5 injuries Strongest

EF3, April 13, 2020

16.71 mile path Longest path

23.6 miles, F2

May 27, 1973, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, EF3

April 13, 2020
Every tornado

All 35 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 3, 2025EF02.68 mi25 yd00
Aug 3, 2023EF01.37 mi50 yd00
Aug 3, 2023EF00.66 mi50 yd00
May 6, 2022EF10.53 mi150 yd00
Mar 23, 2022EF00.09 mi20 yd00
Mar 23, 2022EF26.25 mi440 yd00
Apr 13, 2020EF07.42 mi70 yd00
Apr 13, 2020EF27.97 mi200 yd08
Apr 13, 2020EF316.71 mi1,000 yd15
Oct 8, 2017EF28.42 mi300 yd00
Apr 3, 2017EF02.84 mi50 yd00
Apr 3, 2017EF00.09 mi40 yd00
Nov 30, 2010EF12.66 mi125 yd00
Aug 26, 2008EF25.48 mi30 yd00
Aug 26, 2008EF00.1 mi20 yd00
Aug 26, 2008EF16.83 mi30 yd00
Jan 5, 2007FU0.1 mi20 yd015
Apr 22, 2005F18 mi75 yd00
Jul 13, 2003F112 mi75 yd00
Jul 13, 2003F112 mi75 yd00
May 2, 2003F12.3 mi100 yd01
Apr 3, 2000F13 mi50 yd00
Jan 7, 1998F21.5 mi40 yd04
May 1, 1995F01 mi30 yd00
Jun 26, 1994F18 mi200 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.