Charleston, South Carolina: natural disaster risk
How exposed Charleston is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Charleston County.
Charleston is a city of 154,338 people in Charleston County, South Carolina. Parts of Charleston also reach into Berkeley County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Charleston County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are hurricane, earthquake and inland flooding, with about $500 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 1,419 storm reports in the county since 1955, including 61 tornadoes and 325 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 29 hurricanes and 53 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center, 5 of them major. About 31.7% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Charleston County, the county with most of the population Charleston sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Charleston
Full Charleston County report ›- Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
- Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | $281M | |
| Earthquake | $118M | |
| Inland flooding | $44M | |
| Coastal flooding | $36M | |
| Cold wave | $7M | |
| Wildfire | $3M | |
| Tornado | $3M | |
| Heat wave | $2M | |
| Ice storm | $2M | |
| Strong wind | $2M | |
| Lightning | $2M | |
| Hail | $451K |
Homes in Charleston
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Charleston County
More cities in Charleston County
Other cities in South Carolina
All ›Common questions about Charleston
Is Charleston safe from natural disasters?
Charleston is in Charleston County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are hurricane, earthquake, inland flooding. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Charleston?
By expected yearly losses in Charleston County, the top hazards are hurricane (Very High), earthquake (High), inland flooding (Moderate). Charleston County has been part of 25 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Charleston get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 61 tornadoes in Charleston County since 1950; the strongest was an F3 tornado on September 11, 1960. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county moderate.
Do I need flood insurance in Charleston?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Charleston County, about 31.7% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.