Charleston, SC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Charleston is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Charleston County, SC. The county's highest-rated hazards are coastal flooding, hurricane, and earthquake.
Storm events near Charleston
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Charleston's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Charleston itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Charleston County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Charleston along with the rest of the county, not a Charleston-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 93.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 89.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 99.8 | Very High |
| Earthquake | 98.8 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 82.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 87.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 35.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 60.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 99.6 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 94.5 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 37.7 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 92.6 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 82.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 84.2 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Charleston County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Charleston County:
More on Charleston County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Charleston, SC at risk of?
Charleston is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Charleston County, where Charleston is located, are coastal flooding, hurricane, and earthquake.
What is Charleston's biggest natural hazard risk?
Coastal Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Charleston County, where Charleston is located, scoring 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Charleston a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Charleston carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Charleston County.
Has Charleston had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 20 tornado, 136 hail, 129 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Charleston since 2016.