Natural Disasters

Hurricane Hugo, September 21, 1989. Image courtesy of NOAA.

From earthquakes to hurricanes and droughts, South Carolina faces many different kinds of natural disasters.

Earthquakes 

• South Carolina Earthquake History
  Learn about several earthquakes that have been felt in South Carolina since 1886.
• Earthquakes 1990-2006
  Find earthquakes that have occurred throughout South Carolina in the last 20 years.
• Fault Map
  Earthquakes usually occur along fault lines; see this map of ones in South Carolina.
• Images from the Charleston Earthquake
  The 1886 earthquake in Charleston killed 60 people and caused an estimated $23 million in damage.

Other Natural Disasters

• Hurricane Hugo images
  See infrared and radar images of Hurricane Hugo, a Category 4 hurricane when it hit South Carolina on September 22, 1989.
• Hurricane Preparedness  
  Find out what you and your family can do to prepare for hurricane season.
  • Coastal Evacuation Map
• Landslides
  Find out what a landslide is, what the warning signs are, and how you can prepare.
• Flooding in 1916
  Take a look at this picture of flood damage in the Catawba River in 1916.

SC Emergency Management Division

Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your family in the event of each hazard.

• Drought
• Floods
• Wildfires
• Tornadoes
• Thunderstorms