Hampton County, South Carolina Hurricane History
Since 1851, 64 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Hampton County, South Carolina — about one every 2.7 years. Of those, 12 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Idalia (2023), which passed 15 miles away on 31 August 2023.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
How strong they get
Key facts
- Most recentIdalia (2023) — 15 mi away, 31 August 2023
- Strongest stormGracie (1959) — 115 kt (132 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordAlma (1970) — 2.5 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)Gracie (1959) — 27.1 miles
- Passes within 25 miles23 of 64
- Peak monthSeptember — 20 storms (31% of all)
- Most active year1852 — 2 storms
- Most active decade1890s — 6 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi1
- Record span1851–2023
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1850s | 1860s | 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idalia (2023) | 31 Aug 2023 | 15.2 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Colin (2022) | 1 Jul 2022 | 45.7 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Elsa (2021) | 8 Jul 2021 | 31.0 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Danny (2021) | 29 Jun 2021 | 36.8 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Hermine (2016) | 2 Sep 2016 | 20.3 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Bonnie (2016) | 29 May 2016 | 49.0 mi | TS / TD | 27 kt |
| Andrea (2013) | 7 Jun 2013 | 25.5 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Beryl (2012) | 30 May 2012 | 27.4 mi | TS / TD | 32 kt |
| Alberto (2006) | 14 Jun 2006 | 37.3 mi | TS / TD | 31 kt |
| Bonnie (2004) | 13 Aug 2004 | 42.8 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Allison (2001) | 13 Jun 2001 | 49.7 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Gordon (1994) | 21 Nov 1994 | 20.7 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Chris (1988) | 28 Aug 1988 | 3.0 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Charley (1986) | 15 Aug 1986 | 33.2 mi | TS / TD | 15 kt |
| Kate (1985) | 22 Nov 1985 | 5.6 mi | TS / TD | 49 kt |
| Bob (1985) | 25 Jul 1985 | 27.1 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1981) | 3 Jul 1981 | 42.1 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| David (1979) | 5 Sep 1979 | 7.5 mi | TS / TD | 62 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1976) | 15 Sep 1976 | 33.9 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1971) | 11 Sep 1971 | 21.0 mi | TD | — |
| Alma (1970) | 26 May 1970 | 2.5 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Alma (1966) | 10 Jun 1966 | 42.4 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Dora (1964) | 13 Sep 1964 | 10.0 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Cleo (1964) | 29 Aug 1964 | 35.5 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Brenda (1960) | 29 Jul 1960 | 49.1 mi | TS / TD | 58 kt |
| Gracie (1959) | 29 Sep 1959 | 27.1 mi | Cat 3 | 98 kt |
| Able (1952) | 31 Aug 1952 | 21.7 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Love (1950) | 22 Oct 1950 | 8.1 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1946) | 8 Oct 1946 | 30.6 mi | TS / TD | 47 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1945) | 17 Sep 1945 | 30.7 mi | TS / TD | 57 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1944) | 20 Oct 1944 | 17.3 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1941) | 8 Oct 1941 | 4.0 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1940) | 12 Aug 1940 | 41.0 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1935) | 5 Sep 1935 | 34.0 mi | TS / TD | 51 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1928) | 18 Sep 1928 | 45.7 mi | Cat 1 | 75 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1927) | 3 Oct 1927 | 37.4 mi | TS / TD | 47 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1924) | 16 Sep 1924 | 30.9 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1916) | 16 May 1916 | 49.1 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1911) | 28 Aug 1911 | 37.0 mi | TS / TD | 58 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1909) | 3 Jul 1909 | 26.3 mi | TS / TD | 28 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1907) | 29 Sep 1907 | 48.5 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1904) | 4 Nov 1904 | 10.1 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1902) | 15 Jun 1902 | 35.1 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | 18 Sep 1901 | 15.7 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1898) | 31 Aug 1898 | 30.1 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1896) | 29 Sep 1896 | 16.1 mi | Cat 1 | 82 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1894) | 9 Oct 1894 | 15.0 mi | TS / TD | 63 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1894) | 27 Sep 1894 | 37.7 mi | Cat 1 | 76 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 28 Aug 1893 | 5.6 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 16 Jun 1893 | 38.9 mi | TS / TD | 48 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1888) | 10 Sep 1888 | 12.4 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1886) | 1 Jul 1886 | 17.8 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1885) | 12 Oct 1885 | 25.7 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1884) | 11 Sep 1884 | 15.3 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1878) | 12 Sep 1878 | 46.2 mi | Cat 1 | 77 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1877) | 4 Oct 1877 | 40.5 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1873) | 20 Sep 1873 | 37.0 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1871) | 6 Oct 1871 | 44.7 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1871) | 28 Aug 1871 | 27.4 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1856) | 1 Sep 1856 | 27.8 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1854) | 9 Sep 1854 | 20.9 mi | Cat 1 | 67 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1852) | 10 Oct 1852 | 14.0 mi | TS / TD | 52 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1852) | 27 Aug 1852 | 43.5 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1851) | 24 Aug 1851 | 44.5 mi | TS / TD | 52 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 12 systems passed within 50 miles after losing tropical characteristics. These are excluded from the counts above because they were no longer tropical cyclones at their closest approach — but several were highly damaging, so they are listed here. Showing the 9 most recent.
| Storm | Status | Closest approach | Distance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fay (2020) | Remnant low | 8 Jul 2020 | 36.4 mi | 20 kt |
| Nestor (2019) | Post-tropical | 20 Oct 2019 | 39.2 mi | 40 kt |
| Barry (2007) | Post-tropical | 3 Jun 2007 | 41.4 mi | 40 kt |
| Gordon (2000) | Post-tropical | 18 Sep 2000 | 7.0 mi | 25 kt |
| Earl (1998) | Post-tropical | 3 Sep 1998 | 10.7 mi | 40 kt |
| Josephine (1996) | Post-tropical | 8 Oct 1996 | 36.6 mi | 45 kt |
| Allison (1995) | Post-tropical | 6 Jun 1995 | 7.9 mi | 35 kt |
| Flossy (1956) | Post-tropical | 26 Sep 1956 | 10.9 mi | 42 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1924) | Post-tropical | 30 Sep 1924 | 8.5 mi | 55 kt |
Storms that came back
2 named storms in this record passed Hampton County, South Carolina more than once.
- Alma — 2 passes (1966, 1970)
- Bonnie — 2 passes (2004, 2016)
How Hampton County, South Carolina compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Hampton County, South Carolina ranks #88 — more exposed than 96.0% of them. Within South Carolina it ranks #8 of 46, against a state average of 44.7 storms per county.
Notable storms
- Cat 4 Gracie (1959) passed 27 miles away on 29 September 1959 as a hurricane, reaching 115 kt (132 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 2 Unnamed Storm (1893) passed 6 miles away on 28 August 1893 as a hurricane, reaching 90 kt (104 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 2 Able (1952) passed 22 miles away on 31 August 1952 as a hurricane, reaching 85 kt (98 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 2 Unnamed Storm (1911) passed 37 miles away on 28 August 1911 as a hurricane, reaching 85 kt (98 mph) while within 50 miles.
59 of the 64 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 2.7 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 64 storms spread over the 175 years from 1851 to 2025. 8 separate years saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while stretches of a decade or more have passed with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 15 years, between 1856 and 1871. It has been 2 years since the last one; 25 of the 55 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
How many hurricanes have hit Hampton County, South Carolina?
12 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Hampton County, South Carolina at hurricane strength since 1851. Counting all tropical cyclones — including tropical storms and depressions — the total is 64.
When was the last hurricane in Hampton County, South Carolina?
David (1979), on 5 September 1979, passing 7 miles away — 47 years ago. The most recent tropical cyclone of any strength was Idalia (2023) in 2023.
What was the strongest storm to affect Hampton County, South Carolina?
Gracie (1959), which reached 115 kt (132 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 27 miles.
How often do hurricanes hit Hampton County, South Carolina?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 2.7 years — 64 storms over the 175 years from 1851 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Hampton County, South Carolina borders or sits close to 7 other counties with a published storm record. Beaufort County, South Carolina has 77 on record.