Charleston, SC Tornado History — 73 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Charleston, SC had?
Charleston has had 73 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Charleston?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Charleston was an EF0 on September 27, 2024.
When is tornado season in Charleston?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Charleston, with 16 on record. April through June account for 34 of the 73 tornadoes on record near Charleston.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Charleston
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 27 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Charleston since December 29, 2025
These are 2 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
Multiple videos indicated a waterspout shifting onshore at the Washout on Folly Beach... SC as a tornado before dissipating near the intersection of Fort Road and East (CHS)
Waterspout moved onshore just north of the Folly Beach Pier. No discernable damage. Timing was verified by social media and Surfline webcams. (CHS)
Within 25 miles of Charleston. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Charleston
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Charleston since 1950, across 1 event. 36 injuries have been reported across all events. 1998 was the deadliest year on record near Charleston.
The deadliest single event was an F2 on May 10, 1998, which caused 1 fatality along a 10.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Charleston
What the record shows near Charleston
The 2000s were the busiest decade near Charleston, with 25 of the 73 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 15 so far. The Charleston record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Charleston, 68 reached EF0 or EF1 and 5 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Charleston is rated EF3, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Charleston has averaged 1.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 27 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 7, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.