NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Columbia, SC
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
52 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Columbia, South Carolina since 1851, 3 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Debby in 2024. Since 1950, 114 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 7 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 3
- Tropical storms
- 49
- Tornadoes
- 114
- EF3 or stronger
- 7
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
9 deaths in all
What the records show for Columbia
The strongest storm to pass near Columbia was an unnamed storm in 1896, a Category 1 hurricane with 90 mph winds when its centre passed 45 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre came within 2 miles. The record near Columbia begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Debby in 2024, a tropical storm 48 miles away. The 1850s and the 1880s were the busiest decades, with 6 systems each. Of the 52 systems, 7 have come since 2000. Of the 246 South Carolina cities on this site, 55% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Columbia. The strongest of the 114 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F4 on March 28, 1984; its path came within 24 miles, and it killed 5 people. Of the 114, 9 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 62 have come since 2000. March has had the most tornadoes, 24. The most recent tornado was on June 9, 2025. Columbia has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 92% of the 246 South Carolina cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 187 times since 1959, with stones up to 3 inches (tea cup size). Columbia has more hail reports within 10 miles than 93% of the 246 South Carolina cities.
Compare Columbia's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Columbia
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | DebbyAug 8 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2018 | FlorenceSep 16 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 4 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1995 | AllisonJun 6 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1989 | HugoSep 22 | 19 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1985 | BobJul 25 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 5 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1976 | Unnamed 1976 stormSep 15 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 21 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | GracieSep 30 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1959 | CindyJul 9 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1956 | FlossySep 26 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1952 | AbleAug 31 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 24 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1946 | Unnamed 1946 stormOct 9 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 17 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 5 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1927 | Unnamed 1927 stormOct 3 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 14 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 3 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormOct 9 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormSep 18 | overhead | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 15 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 18 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 29 | 45 mi | Category 1 (90 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 28 | 2 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 1 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 12 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 12 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormSep 1 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 10 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormAug 27 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 24 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Columbia: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbia
By decade
- 2020s19
- 2010s20
- 2000s23(1 EF3+)
- 1990s26(4 EF3+)
- 1980s11(2 EF3+)
- 1970s7
- 1960s6
- 1950s2
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 1984 | F4 | 24 mi | 21 mi | 5 / 49 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | F3 | 25 mi | 67 mi | 1 / 9 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 19 mi | 27.51 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Nov 2, 1995 | F3 | 18 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | F3 | 17 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | F3 | 15 mi | 8 mi | 0 / 40 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | F3 | 20 mi | 19 mi | 0 / 10 |
| Sep 27, 2004 | F2 | 19 mi | 2 mi | 1 / 13 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | F2 | 13 mi | 3.5 mi | 1 / 6 |
| May 15, 1976 | F2 | in town | 3.8 mi | 1 / 3 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 22 mi | 2.98 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF2 | 25 mi | 5.01 mi | 0 / 1 |
The strongest 12 of 114, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Columbia
The Storm Prediction Center has 187 hail reports within 10 miles of Columbia since 1959, made on 120 separate days. Of these, 103 were 1 inch across or larger, and 6 reached 2 inches. The largest, 3 inches (tea cup size), fell on September 25, 1988. The most recent report is from February 23, 2024. June has the most reports, 44.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Columbia
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC, 5 miles south of Columbia at 223 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 96°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 60°F and 37°F. June is the wettest at 5.4 inches of precipitation on average and April the driest at 2.9 inches; the year adds up to 48.0 inches over 75 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 55% of the year's precipitation (26.2 of 48.0 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 52 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (21); a normal September there has highs of 89°F and 4.3 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 107 days a year, almost all from April to October. Lows fall below freezing on about 33 nights a year. That 48.0 inches is more than at 34 of the 78 South Carolina stations used on this site (44%). Blythewood, 10 miles north, has its own station (Cedar Creek 2E, SC): 45.7 inches a year, 2.3 less than here, and a July average high of 90°F against 96°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60 | 37 | 3.8 | 6 |
| Feb | 64 | 40 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Mar | 72 | 46 | 4.1 | 7 |
| Apr | 81 | 54 | 2.9 | 6 |
| May | 87 | 62 | 3.6 | 6 |
| Jun | 93 | 69 | 5.4 | 8 |
| Jul | 96 | 72 | 5.2 | 8 |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 5.0 | 8 |
| Sep | 89 | 66 | 4.3 | 6 |
| Oct | 80 | 54 | 3.3 | 5 |
| Nov | 69 | 44 | 3.0 | 5 |
| Dec | 61 | 39 | 3.9 | 6 |
| Year | 79 | 54 | 48.0 | 75 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC (223 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Columbia
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 825 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Columbia: 517 thunderstorm wind reports, 240 flash floods, 39 heavy rain events, 16 floods and 13 lightning strikes. They killed 8 people and injured 43, and the NWS estimated $40.5 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 98 mph, on April 5, 2011. August has had the most flash floods, 49 of 240. Of the 241 South Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 240 have had fewer than Columbia.
October 4, 2015: flash flood 6 miles from the centre of Columbia — 2 killed, 20 injured, $10.0 million damage.
October 4, 2015: flash flood 3 miles from the centre of Columbia — 1 killed, 1 injured, $810,000 damage.
NWS: “SC Highway Patrol reports Monticello Road at I-20 closed due to flooding. Male driver drowned in his vehicle on Peeples Street near Crane Creek.”
October 4, 2015: flash flood 4 miles from the centre of Columbia — 1 killed, 1 injured, $20,000 damage.
NWS: “One person drowned in their vehicle when it stalled in flood waters along Sunset Drive near the stream Smith Branch. The person drowned at approximately 654 am EDT.”
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Flood insurance policyholders in Columbia's 11 ZIP codes have filed 1,642 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1978, and were paid $68.8 million for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The most came from October severe storms in 2015: 965 claims (59% of all) and $63.7 million, then Hurricane Helene in 2024 with 15. 62% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 110 South Carolina cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 101 have fewer than Columbia.
| Event | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| October severe storms2015 | 965 | $63.7 million |
| Hurricane Helene2024 | 15 | $369,000 |
Richland County, which includes Columbia, has been named in 26 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1977, 11 of them major disasters (by incident: 15 hurricanes, 2 biological emergencies, 2 ice storms, 2 severe storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Helene, on September 29, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Richland County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for hurricanes, tornadoes, inland flooding, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Moderate for hail and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $137.8 million a year, the 7th highest of 46 South Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $74.1 million (54%), is from inland flooding.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.
Cities near Columbia
- Cayce, SC8 mi
- Blythewood, SC10 mi
- West Columbia, SC10 mi
- Irmo, SC12 mi
- Elgin, SC13 mi
- Hopkins, SC13 mi
- Lexington, SC15 mi
- Gaston, SC17 mi
- Lugoff, SC19 mi
- Ridgeway, SC20 mi
- Chapin, SC20 mi
- Eastover, SC20 mi
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