Severe Weather History


South Carolina Heavy Rain History: 281 Recorded Events

281

Recorded events

40

Counties affected

2

Direct deaths

$3.5M

Property damage

South Carolina heavy rain history: 281 recorded events across 40 counties between 1996 and 2025.

Decade by decade

South Carolina heavy rain history by decade

South Carolina heavy rain history: recorded events per decade
South Carolina heavy rain history: recorded events per decade

The 2010s are the busiest decade on record with 149 reported heavy rain events across South Carolina. Earlier decades are thinner because systematic reporting for this hazard expanded over time, not because the weather was calmer.

County ranking

Counties with the most heavy rain events in South Carolina

RankCountyEventsDeathsDamageSpan
#1Richland County450$1.1M2011–2025
#2Lexington County190$10K2012–2023
#3Georgetown County181$1.5M2002–2025
#4Horry County160$550K1998–2016
#5Greenville County160$01999–2013
#6Spartanburg County130$35K1999–2013
#7Aiken County120$1002013–2023
#8Orangeburg County120$02011–2023
#9Darlington County100$02004–2015
#10Sumter County90$1002017–2025
#11Anderson County90$1K1999–2013
#12York County90$102K1996–2016
#13Pickens County80$11K1997–2006
#14Chesterfield County80$1002013–2018
#15Florence County80$02002–2010
#16Marlboro County70$02003–2010
#17Charleston County70$11K2010–2023
#18Oconee County60$10K1999–2013
#19Clarendon County50$2K2010–2017
#20Laurens County41$01997–2013
#21Edgefield County40$1002016–2020
#22Cherokee County40$90K1999–2008
#23Chester County30$02008–2010
#24Williamsburg County30$02002–2012
#25Beaufort County30$02019–2024
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · ranked by recorded event count

Significant events

Deadliest heavy rain events in South Carolina

DateCountyScaleDeathsInjuries
Jul 10, 2013Laurens County—10
Sep 6, 2008Georgetown County—10
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · dates UTC

All hazards in South Carolina · Heavy Rain across the U.S.