NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit West 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
55 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of West Columbia, South Carolina since 1851, 3 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Debby in 2024. Since 1950, 112 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 4 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 3
- Tropical storms
- 52
- Tornadoes
- 112
- EF3 or stronger
- 4
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
4 deaths in all
What the records show for West Columbia
The strongest storm to pass near West Columbia was an unnamed storm in 1896, a Category 1 hurricane with 91 mph winds when its centre passed 47 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre came within 2 miles. The record near West Columbia begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Debby in 2024, a tropical storm 57 miles away. The 1850s and the 1880s were the busiest decades, with 6 systems each. Of the 55 systems, 7 have come since 2000. Of the 246 South Carolina cities on this site, 55% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than West Columbia. The highest rating among the 112 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3 or EF3, reached 4 times; the most recent, on March 15, 2008, came within 20 miles. The deadliest, an F2 on March 13, 1955, killed 2 people. Of the 112, 7 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 59 have come since 2000. March has had the most tornadoes, 19. The most recent tornado was on June 9, 2025. West Columbia has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 90% of the 246 South Carolina cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 237 times since 1959, with stones up to 2.75 inches (baseball size). West Columbia has more hail reports within 10 miles than 96% of the 246 South Carolina cities.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near West Columbia
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | DebbyAug 8 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2018 | FlorenceSep 16 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 4 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1995 | AllisonJun 6 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1989 | HugoSep 22 | 28 mi | Category 1 (89 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1985 | KateNov 22 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | BobJul 25 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 5 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1976 | Unnamed 1976 stormSep 15 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 21 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | CleoAug 30 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1959 | GracieSep 30 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1959 | CindyJul 9 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1956 | FlossySep 26 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1952 | AbleAug 31 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 28 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 24 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1946 | Unnamed 1946 stormOct 9 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 17 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 39 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 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1927 | Unnamed 1927 stormOct 3 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 15 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 3 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormOct 9 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormSep 18 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 15 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 18 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 29 | 47 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 28 | 2 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 1 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 12 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 12 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormSep 1 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 10 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormAug 27 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 24 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in West 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 West Columbia
By decade
- 2020s21
- 2010s20
- 2000s18(1 EF3+)
- 1990s28(3 EF3+)
- 1980s8
- 1970s7
- 1960s7
- 1950s3
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 20 mi | 27.51 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Nov 2, 1995 | F3 | 9 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | F3 | 8 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | F3 | 7 mi | 8 mi | 0 / 40 |
| Mar 13, 1955 | F2 | 23 mi | 9.9 mi | 2 / 10 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | F2 | 7 mi | 3.5 mi | 1 / 6 |
| May 15, 1976 | F2 | 8 mi | 3.8 mi | 1 / 3 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 19 mi | 5.68 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 15 mi | 2.98 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 24, 2012 | EF2 | 17 mi | 9.19 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF2 | 20 mi | 5.01 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF2 | 18 mi | 24.39 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 112, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in West Columbia
The Storm Prediction Center has 237 hail reports within 10 miles of West Columbia since 1959, made on 147 separate days. Of these, 122 were 1 inch across or larger, and 6 reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.75 inches (baseball size), fell on May 2, 1984. The most recent report is from June 4, 2024. June has the most reports, 57.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in West Columbia
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Columbia, SC, in West Columbia at 231 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 93°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 57°F and 35°F. July is the wettest at 5.4 inches of precipitation on average and April and November the driest at 2.8 inches; the year adds up to 45.4 inches over 71 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 55% of the year's precipitation (24.9 of 45.4 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 55 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (21); a normal September there has highs of 86°F and 3.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 81 days a year, almost all from April to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 47 nights a year. Snowfall averages 1.2 inches a year, most of it in January. That 45.4 inches is more than at 17 of the 78 South Carolina stations used on this site (22%). Cayce, 3 miles east, has its own station (Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC): 48.0 inches a year, 2.6 more than here, and a July average high of 96°F against 93°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57 | 35 | 3.5 | 6 | 0.6 |
| Feb | 61 | 37 | 3.4 | 6 | 0.4 |
| Mar | 68 | 44 | 3.6 | 6 | 0.1 |
| Apr | 77 | 52 | 2.8 | 5 | 0.0 |
| May | 84 | 61 | 3.5 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 90 | 69 | 5.0 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 93 | 72 | 5.4 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 91 | 71 | 4.7 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 86 | 65 | 3.9 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 77 | 53 | 3.1 | 4 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 66 | 42 | 2.8 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Dec | 59 | 37 | 3.7 | 6 | 0.1 |
| Year | 76 | 53 | 45.4 | 71 | 1.2 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Columbia, SC (231 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 West Columbia
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 914 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of West Columbia: 621 thunderstorm wind reports, 227 flash floods, 40 heavy rain events, 13 floods and 13 lightning strikes. They killed 7 people and injured 52, and the NWS estimated $34.6 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 110 mph, on April 15, 2018. August has had the most flash floods, 47 of 227. Of the 241 South Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 236 have had fewer than West Columbia.
October 4, 2015: flash flood 8 miles from the centre of West Columbia — 2 killed, 20 injured, $10.0 million damage.
October 4, 2015: flash flood 9 miles from the centre of West Columbia — 1 killed, 1 injured, $810,000 damage.
October 4, 2015: flash flood 6 miles from the centre of West Columbia — 1 killed, 1 injured, $20,000 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 West Columbia's 3 ZIP codes have filed 64 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1979, and were paid $592,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The most came from October severe storms in 2015: 41 claims (64% of all) and $425,000. 67% 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, 65 have fewer than West Columbia.
| Event | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| October severe storms2015 | 41 | $425,000 |
Lexington County, which includes West Columbia, 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.
Cities near West Columbia
- Cayce, SC3 mi
- Lexington, SC7 mi
- Gaston, SC9 mi
- Columbia, SC10 mi
- Irmo, SC12 mi
- Hopkins, SC15 mi
- Pelion, SC15 mi
- Swansea, SC15 mi
- Gilbert, SC16 mi
- Chapin, SC18 mi
- Blythewood, SC18 mi
- Leesville, SC20 mi
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