Hurricane Risk for Hilton Head Island, SC
No tropical storms currently threaten the Hilton Head Island area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1851, 243 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Hilton Head Island. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Chantal (2025)
Passed within 126 miles of Hilton Head Island on July 06, 2025. Peak intensity: TS (57 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Unnamed (1935)
Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 84 miles of Hilton Head Island.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1871)
Passed just 3.7 miles from Hilton Head Island on October 06, 1871.
When hurricanes hit Hilton Head Island
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 Hilton Head Island residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 23 mi | Aug 06, 2024 |
| Helene | 2024 | Cat 4 | 146 mi | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Idalia | 2023 | Cat 4 | 38 mi | Aug 31, 2023 |
| Ian | 2022 | Cat 5 | 113 mi | Sep 30, 2022 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 75 mi | Jul 08, 2021 |
| Eta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 53 mi | Nov 13, 2020 |
| Isaias | 2020 | Cat 1 | 91 mi | Aug 03, 2020 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 134 mi | Sep 18, 2020 |
| Dorian | 2019 | Cat 5 | 86 mi | Sep 05, 2019 |
| Florence | 2018 | Cat 4 | 99 mi | Sep 16, 2018 |
| Michael | 2018 | Cat 5 | 145 mi | Oct 11, 2018 |
| Irma | 2017 | Cat 5 | 184 mi | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 16 mi | Oct 08, 2016 |
| Hermine | 2016 | Cat 1 | 31 mi | Sep 02, 2016 |
| Arthur | 2014 | Cat 2 | 117 mi | Jul 03, 2014 |
| Hanna | 2008 | Cat 1 | 97 mi | Sep 06, 2008 |
| Andrea | 2007 | Cat 1 | 111 mi | May 09, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 93 mi | Aug 31, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Hilton Head Island is in Beaufort 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.