Hurricane Risk for Charleston, SC
No tropical storms currently threaten the Charleston area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1851, 255 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Charleston. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Chantal (2025)
Passed within 70 miles of Charleston on July 06, 2025. Peak intensity: TS (57 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Dorian (2019)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 60 miles of Charleston.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1874)
Passed just 3.9 miles from Charleston on September 28, 1874.
When hurricanes hit Charleston
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Charleston residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 25 mi | Aug 08, 2024 |
| Helene | 2024 | Cat 4 | 184 mi | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Idalia | 2023 | Cat 4 | 56 mi | Aug 31, 2023 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 56 mi | Sep 30, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 103 mi | Jul 08, 2021 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 49 mi | Aug 04, 2020 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 61 mi | Nov 13, 2020 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 104 mi | Sep 18, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 60 mi | Sep 05, 2019 |
| Florence | 2018 | Cat 4 | 57 mi | Sep 15, 2018 |
| Michael | 2018 | Cat 5 | 137 mi | Oct 11, 2018 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 19 mi | Oct 08, 2016 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 71 mi | Sep 03, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 95 mi | Jul 03, 2014 |
| Irene | 2011 | Cat 3 | 172 mi | Aug 27, 2011 |
| Hanna | 2008 | Cat 1 | 79 mi | Sep 06, 2008 |
| Andrea | 2007 | Cat 1 | 131 mi | May 09, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 74 mi | Aug 31, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Charleston is in Charleston County — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.