South Carolina averages 4 hurricane impacts per decade. Peak season runs August – October. Know your risk, know your zone, and sign up for alerts before the season starts.
Hurricane Hugo (1989) made landfall near Charleston as a Cat 4 with a 20-foot storm surge, causing $10 billion in damage.
SC uses a coastal zone evacuation system. Zone 1 (barrier islands) evacuates first, followed by Zones 2–4.
Prep tip: Charleston is one of the most flood-prone cities in the U.S. even without hurricanes. Know your flood zone and consider flood insurance regardless of storm season.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30. Peak activity in South Carolina typically occurs during August – October. The statistical peak of the season is September 10.
Up to 15 feet near Charleston and Hilton Head Island. Storm surge is the deadliest aspect of a hurricane — it can arrive hours before the storm's center. Use our storm surge lookup at /storm-surge to check your specific ZIP code.
South Carolina has a high hurricane risk. Standard homeowner's insurance covers wind damage but not flooding. Consider a separate NFIP flood policy if you're in a flood zone. See our full guide at /hurricane-insurance.
Start before the season: know your evacuation zone, build a 7-day emergency kit, have a family communication plan, and sign up for local emergency alerts. Use our preparedness checklist builder at /preparedness for a personalized list.