South Carolina natural disasters & FEMA declarations
SC · 44th most declarations of 51 states/DC
South Carolina has had 51 federally declared disasters since 1955, the 44th most of any US state or DC. Its most common hazard is Hurricane (21 declarations, about 41% of the total). The most recent declaration was "Severe Winter Storm" (Winter Storm), on Apr 7, 2026.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by hazard type
These are the distinct FEMA disaster declarations for South Carolina, grouped by their primary incident type. A single declaration can affect many counties; each is counted once here.
| Hazard / incident type | Declarations | Share of state total |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 21 | 41% |
| Fire | 7 | 14% |
| Severe Storm | 5 | 10% |
| Severe Ice Storm | 5 | 10% |
| Flood | 4 | 8% |
| Tropical Storm | 3 | 6% |
| Winter Storm | 2 | 4% |
| Biological | 2 | 4% |
| Tornado | 1 | 2% |
| Drought | 1 | 2% |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by program type
FEMA issues several kinds of declaration. Major Disaster (DR) declarations unlock the widest assistance; Emergency (EM) declarations are more limited; and Fire Management Assistance (FM) grants help fight large wildfires.
| Declaration type | Declarations |
|---|---|
| Major Disaster (DR) | 29 |
| Emergency (EM) | 15 |
| Fire Management Assistance (FM) | 7 |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by decade
How South Carolina's declaration count has changed over time. Earlier decades reflect both fewer disasters and a narrower federal declaration program; recent decades are the most complete.
| Decade | Declarations |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 2 |
| 1970s | 1 |
| 1980s | 2 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 13 |
| 2020s | 17 |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Most recent declarations
| Date | Title | Type | FEMA ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 7, 2026 | Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | DR-4908-SC |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | EM-3632-SC |
| Mar 23, 2025 | Table Rock Fire Complex | Fire | FM-5576-SC |
| Mar 23, 2025 | Table Rock Fire | Fire | FM-5575-SC |
| Mar 7, 2025 | Covington Drive Fire | Fire | FM-5554-SC |
| Jan 10, 2025 | Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | DR-4858-SC |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Notable earthquakes in or near South Carolina
No magnitude-6.0+ earthquakes are attributed to South Carolina in the USGS catalog used here. That does not mean the state has zero seismic risk — smaller earthquakes occur in most states. See our earthquake risk by region guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many federally declared disasters has South Carolina had?
South Carolina has had 51 distinct FEMA disaster declarations since 1955, the 44th most of any US state or DC, according to FEMA's Disaster Declarations Summaries.
What is the most common disaster in South Carolina?
The most common federally declared disaster type in South Carolina is "Hurricane", with 21 declarations — about 41% of the state's total.
When was the most recent disaster declaration in South Carolina?
The most recent FEMA declaration in South Carolina in this snapshot was "Severe Winter Storm" (Winter Storm), declared Apr 7, 2026.
Related
Source & notes
Disaster data from OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2; earthquake data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (FDSN event service). Both are US public domain. Counts are distinct declarations (a declaration affecting many counties is counted once). HazardMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by FEMA or USGS; this is general information, not safety or insurance advice. Verify with official sources.
Last updated: 2026-06-18