NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Leesville, 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
48 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Leesville, South Carolina since 1851, 3 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Elsa in 2021. Since 1950, 110 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 6 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 3
- Tropical storms
- 45
- Tornadoes
- 110
- EF3 or stronger
- 6
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
5 deaths in all
What the records show for Leesville
The strongest storm to pass near Leesville was an unnamed storm in 1896, a Category 1 hurricane with 91 mph winds when its centre passed 65 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre came within 21 miles. The record near Leesville begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Elsa in 2021, a tropical storm 32 miles away. The 1850s and the 1880s were the busiest decades, with 6 systems each. Of the 48 systems, 5 have come since 2000. Of the 246 South Carolina cities on this site, 55% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Leesville. The highest rating among the 110 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3 or EF3, reached 6 times; the most recent, on March 15, 2008, came within 19 miles. The deadliest, an F2 on March 13, 1955, killed 2 people. Of the 110, 6 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 67 have come since 2000. March has had the most tornadoes, 17. The most recent tornado was on June 9, 2025. Leesville has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 89% of the 246 South Carolina cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 75 times since 1964, with stones up to 2.5 inches (tennis ball size). Leesville has more hail reports within 10 miles than 56% of the 246 South Carolina cities.
Compare Leesville's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Leesville
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2018 | FlorenceSep 16 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 3 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1995 | AllisonJun 6 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1989 | HugoSep 22 | 47 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1985 | BobJul 25 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 5 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 21 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | CleoAug 30 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1959 | GracieSep 30 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1956 | FlossySep 26 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1952 | AbleAug 31 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 28 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 24 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1946 | Unnamed 1946 stormOct 9 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 17 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 5 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1927 | Unnamed 1927 stormOct 3 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 15 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 3 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormOct 9 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormSep 18 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 15 | 31 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 | 65 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 28 | 21 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 1 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 12 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormSep 1 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 10 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormAug 27 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 24 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Leesville: 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 Leesville
By decade
- 2020s18
- 2010s23
- 2000s26(1 EF3+)
- 1990s28(4 EF3+)
- 1980s2
- 1970s7(1 EF3+)
- 1960s3
- 1950s3
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 1992 | F3 | 16 mi | 67 mi | 1 / 9 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | F3 | 20 mi | 17.3 mi | 1 / 5 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 19 mi | 27.51 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Nov 2, 1995 | F3 | 22 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | F3 | 12 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | F3 | 13 mi | 8 mi | 0 / 40 |
| Mar 13, 1955 | F2 | 4 mi | 9.9 mi | 2 / 10 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | F2 | 24 mi | 3.5 mi | 1 / 6 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 8 mi | 5.68 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 6 mi | 2.98 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 16 mi | 12.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 5, 2017 | EF2 | 13 mi | 7.2 mi | 0 / 1 |
The strongest 12 of 110, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Leesville
The Storm Prediction Center has 75 hail reports within 10 miles of Leesville since 1964, made on 49 separate days. Of these, 36 were 1 inch across or larger, and 4 reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.5 inches (tennis ball size), fell on May 5, 1989. The most recent report is from February 23, 2024. May has the most reports, 27.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Leesville
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Pelion 0.8 NW, SC, 16 miles southeast of Leesville at 451 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 93°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 59°F and 34°F. July is the wettest at 5.8 inches of precipitation on average and November the driest at 3.2 inches; the year adds up to 51.9 inches over 82 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (28.1 of 51.9 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 48 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (18); a normal September there has highs of 87°F and 4.4 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 68 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 62 nights a year. That 51.9 inches is more than at 61 of the 78 South Carolina stations used on this site (78%). Batesburg, 6 miles southwest, has its own station (Saluda, SC): 47.0 inches a year, 4.9 less than here, and the same July average high, 93°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 59 | 34 | 4.4 | 7 |
| Feb | 62 | 36 | 4.2 | 7 |
| Mar | 70 | 42 | 4.1 | 7 |
| Apr | 78 | 51 | 3.6 | 6 |
| May | 85 | 61 | 3.4 | 6 |
| Jun | 90 | 69 | 5.5 | 9 |
| Jul | 93 | 72 | 5.8 | 9 |
| Aug | 92 | 71 | 5.5 | 8 |
| Sep | 87 | 65 | 4.4 | 6 |
| Oct | 79 | 53 | 3.7 | 5 |
| Nov | 68 | 41 | 3.2 | 5 |
| Dec | 61 | 36 | 4.1 | 7 |
| Year | 77 | 53 | 51.9 | 82 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Pelion 0.8 NW, SC (451 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 Leesville
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 210 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Leesville: 186 thunderstorm wind reports, 14 flash floods, 5 heavy rain events, 3 floods and 2 lightning strikes. They killed 0 people and injured 8, and the NWS estimated $7.8 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 105 mph, on April 15, 2018. October has had the most flash floods, 5 of 14. Of the 241 South Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 161 have had fewer than Leesville.
May 6, 1999: thunderstorm wind 5 miles from the centre of Leesville — 6 injured.
May 8, 1998: thunderstorm wind 7 miles from the centre of Leesville — 2 injured, $15,000 damage.
October 10, 2015: flash flood 7 miles from the centre of Leesville — $6.0 million damage.
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 Leesville's ZIP code 29070 have filed 14 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1996, and were paid $147,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. 43% 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, 17 have fewer than Leesville.
Lexington County, which includes Leesville, has been named in 25 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1977, 10 of them major disasters (by incident: 13 hurricanes, 3 ice storms, 2 biological emergencies, 2 severe storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Helene, on September 29, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Lexington County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for tornadoes, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, hail, inland flooding and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $108.2 million a year, the 8th highest of 46 South Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $46.9 million (43%), 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.