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On this page you learn what types of flooding are typical in South Carolina and how do you protect yourself, your family and your home. You will also find out more about significant South Carolina floods. Finally, you'll find links to NWS offices that provide forecast and safety information for South Carolina, as well as links to our partners who play a significant role in keeping you safe

Significant South Carolina Floods

+The Great Pacolet Flood of 1903

+The Record Flood of 1908

Intense rains occurred across the Palmetto State from August 26–30, 1908. An area of low pressure developed in the Gulf of Mexico on August 20 and strengthened as it moved northeast and off the North Carolina coast by the morning of the 27th. The heavy rainfall, which lasted over 48 hours, caused the most extensive flood event on record, when all major rivers in the state rose from 9 to 22 feet above flood stage. Anderson, SC, received 12 inches of rainfall in 24 hours. Most of the rain fell in less than 16 hours. The intensity of the rainfall resulted in several floods having recurrence intervals of greater than 50 years. Over 80 percent of the state was affected by flooding. In a paper written by Linda Horton about the event in 2008, she chronicles some of the highlights of the destruction and loss of life:

  • Railroad traffic is at a standstill
  • Bridges are carried away
  • Five persons lose their life in Camden when Steel Bridge, a toll bridge, across the Wateree River was destroyed
  • The crops along the rivers and creeks near Camden are a total loss.
  • Five large dams in the neighborhood of Camden broke
  • The Southern Railway trestle below Camden was under water.
  • Unprecedented rainfall continues and all of Spartanburg is under water and the loss of property is incalculable
  • Wateree River bridges washing away at Camden, SC. There were a number of people on the bridge and some were rescued in trees and on rafts.
  • Great damage in the Piedmont of the state forcing power plants to close down, cutting off the power to a number of cotton mills, electric light plants and other enterprises.
  • A train on the Charleston and Western Carolina Railway ran into a washout and the engine was ditched.
  • In Spartanburg, bridges and dams are being washed away. The city is without gas, electric light or power.

Below are images of some of the flooding along the Congaree River at Columbia, SC. The river crested at 39.8 feet on August 27, 1908. The flood stage at Columbia was 19.0 feet.

Photo courtesy of Richland County Library Archives Photo Courtesy of Richland County Library Archives
Photo courtesy of Richland County Library Archives Photo Courtesy of Richland County Library Archives
8 AM Surface Weather Map on August 26th 8 AM Surface Weather Map on August 27th
8 AM Surface Weather Map on August 26th 8 AM Surface Weather Map on August 27th

+The Southeast Hurricane of 1940

The Southeast Hurricane of 1940 came ashore near Beaufort, SC, on August 11, 1940 with winds of 105 mph. Flooding occurred across the state from the 11th through the 19th. 

The storm moved inland in a northwesterly direction. Rainfall totals of 7 to 12 inches were recorded in the southern and northwestern sections of the state. The largest 24 hour rainfall total was 10.84 inches recorded near Beaufort. The greatest rainfall amount for the event was 22.49 inches in the town of Long Creek. The number of those killed is still in dispute, but between 30 and 50 people lost their lives due to the storm surge and fresh water flooding. 

Early press reports said that 35 were dead. According to the Monthly Weather Review, the deaths were low because of hurricane warnings and evacuations; however, modern sources indicate that 40 people died during this storm. Property and crop damage was estimated to be $10 million ($160 million in 2013). The flooding from this hurricane was the greatest on record at the time for the North Pacolet River at Fingerville. The recurrence intervals at this site and on the Broad River near Carlisle were greater than 100 years.

Track of Southeast Hurricane of 1940, Image courtesy of SC State Climate Office Total rainfall map of the event across the area
Track of Southeast Hurricane of 1940, Image courtesy of SC State Climate Office Total rainfall map of the event across the area.

+The Homestead Hurricane of 1945

The flooding that occurred from September 17-23, 1945 was produced by heavy rainfall associated with the ninth tropical storm of the season, which was also the most intense. The hurricane originally made landfall near Homestead, FL, but moved north through Florida then off the coast near Jacksonville. The tropical storm then came ashore near Hilton Head Island and moved northward through eastern South Carolina. All of the rivers in the state, except the Saluda River, exceeded flood stage during the second half of the month. The Great Pee Dee River at Cheraw reached 49.4 feet, the highest reading ever recorded up to that time. Flood stage at Cheraw is 30 feet. The Lynches River at Effingham recorded its largest flood on record. The river crested at 21.2 feet on the September 22, 1945. Flood stage at Effingham is 14.0 feet. There was 1 death attributed to the flooding with a loss of property and crops at nearly $7 million. In today's dollars that would approximately total $88 million.

Track of the Homestead Hurricane of 1945
Track of the Homestead Hurricane of 1945

+Tropical Depression Klaus & Tropical Storm Marco of 1990

The flooding that occurred during October 10-13 and October 22, 1990, was the result of the remnants of Hurricane Klaus, Tropical Storm Marco and their northward movement and interaction along a stalled frontal boundary. 

The event produced major flooding across the state, especially central South Carolina. There were 5 deaths blamed on the flooding. The flooding caused 4 deaths in Kershaw County, when a dam burst, sending water across a road trapping the people in their vehicle. Another death occurred in Spartanburg County when a toddler drowned in a rain-swollen creek. In the Pee Dee and Santee River Basins, the floods washed out or caused the closing of more than 120 bridges on secondary road systems. There were 17 earthen dams that failed and 81 that were damaged from overtopping. The government declared 13 counties Federal Disaster Areas. The total damage of property and crops was around $12 million ($22 million in 2013 dollars). 
Rainfall totals were excessive, including one unofficial report of nearly 17 inches in the town of Rembert. These rainfall totals were some of the highest recorded in 100 years. Here are some official rainfall totals during the 4 day event:

Pageland, 13.96 inches
Clarks Hill, 10.80 inches
Kershaw, 9.85 inches
Orangeburg, 9.99 inches
Camden, 9.62 inches
Spartanburg, 8.40 inches
McCormick, 8.25 inches
Aiken, 8.00 inches
Edgefield, 6.57 inches
Greenwood, 4.85 inches
Catawba, 4.36 inches

Several rivers and streams in the Pee Dee and Santee River Basins recorded discharge recurrence intervals of greater than 100 years including  the Black Creek at McBee, Black Creek near Hartsville, Fork Creek near Jefferson, Scape Ore Swamp near Bishopville, and Antley Spring Branch at Southern Railroad near St. Matthews.

Rainfall Total Map for Tropical Storm Marco & the remnants of Klaus from October 8th-14th, 1990 Track of Hurricane Klaus
Rainfall Total Map for Tropical Storm Marco & the remnants of Klaus from October 8th-14th, 1990 Track of Hurricane Klaus
Property Damage Map across South Carolina Property Damage Map across South Carolina
Track of Tropical Storm Marco Property Damage Map across South Carolina

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Flood Hazards Information

+Flash Flooding

Flash flooding is a rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid water level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within six hours of the causative event (i.e., intense rainfall, dam failure, ice jam). More information...

+River Flooding

River flooding occurs when river levels rise and overflow their banks or the edges of their main channel and inundate areas that are normally dry. More information...

+Tropical Systems and Coastal Flooding

Wildfires burn away the vegetation of an area, leaving behind bare ground that tends to repel water. When rain falls, it runs off a burn scar towards a low lying area, sometimes carrying branches, soil and other debris along with it. Without vegetation to hold the soil in place, flooding can produce mud and debris flows. More information...

+Dam Breaks/Levee Failure

A break or failure can occur with little to no warning. Most often they are caused by water overtopping the structure, excessive seepage through the surrounding ground, or a structural failure. More information...

+Snowmelt

Flooding due to snowmelt most often occurs in the spring when rapidly warming temperatures quickly melt the snow. The water runs off the already saturated ground into nearby streams and rivers, causing them to rapidly rise and, in some cases, overflow their banks.More information...

+Debris Jams

A back-up of water into surrounding areas can occur when a river or stream is blocked by a build-up of ice or other debris. Debris Jam: A back-up of water into surrounding areas can occur when a river or stream is blocked by a build-up of debris.More information...
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