North Myrtle Beach, SC Tornado History — 62 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has North Myrtle Beach, SC had?
North Myrtle Beach has had 62 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near North Myrtle Beach?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of North Myrtle Beach was an EF0 on August 6, 2024.
When is tornado season in North Myrtle Beach?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near North Myrtle Beach, with 18 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near North Myrtle Beach
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 29 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.
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 North Myrtle Beach
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of North Myrtle Beach since 1950, across 1 event. 114 injuries have been reported across all events. 2021 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF3 on February 15, 2021, which caused 3 fatalities along a 21.9-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near North Myrtle Beach
About Tornadoes in North Myrtle Beach
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has experienced 62 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes can occur in any month along the South Carolina coast, September stands out as the peak period with 18 recorded events, likely reflecting the influence of tropical systems and landfalling hurricanes that frequently spawn tornadoes in their outer bands during late summer and early fall.
The intensity distribution shows that most tornadoes in the area have been relatively weak, with 27 rated EF0 and 24 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado damage from EF0 (minor damage) to EF5 (complete destruction). However, the region has also seen 8 EF2 tornadoes and 3 EF3 tornadoes, demonstrating that stronger events are possible. The deadliest tornado on record was an EF3 that struck on February 16, 2021, claiming three lives and traveling 21.9 miles with a maximum width of 275 yards. This same event holds the record as the longest-tracked tornado in the area's history.
Tornado frequency has varied considerably by decade. The 1960s saw 8 tornadoes, while the 1980s recorded only 3 events. More recently, activity has increased notably, with 16 tornadoes documented in the 2010s and 12 already recorded in the 2020s through 2024. The costliest tornado occurred on November 7, 1995, when an F2 tornado caused $2.75 million in property damage along a 5-mile path. The widest tornado on record was an F3 that reached 880 yards in width on October 9, 1950, though it traveled only 2 miles.
The most recent tornado touched down on August 6, 2024, as an EF0 with minimal damage of approximately $5,000 along a brief 0.3-mile path. This event underscores that tornado activity remains an ongoing meteorological reality for the North Myrtle Beach area, with tornadoes documented across multiple decades and seasons throughout the historical record.