Hurricane Risk for Charleston, SC
HELENE is currently 437 mi from Charleston.
Get free alerts for CharlestonSince 1851, 0 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Charleston. Here's what you should know.
Local note: Charleston's low-lying harbor, extensive tidal creeks, and nearby barrier islands make storm surge and coastal flooding the dominant threats — recent close impacts from storms such as Hurricane Idalia (2023) and Ian (2022) underscore how powerful tropical systems can drive surge and inundation into the city.
By the numbers
Total storms
0
since None
Major (Cat 3+)
0
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
0
all categories
County
Charleston County
South Carolina
When hurricanes hit Charleston
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since None:
Jan
0
Feb
0
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
0
Jun
0
Jul
0
Aug
0
Sep
0
Oct
0
Nov
0
Dec
0
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helene | 2024 | Cat 4 | 184 mi | Jun 11, 2026 |
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.