Hurricanes
Hurricanes, tropical storms and their remains can still cause problems within the state. Even if the center of a tropical storm or hurricane does not directly hit the state, the indirect effects can still have significant impacts. The heavy rain and strong winds can extend over 100 miles from the eye of the storm, and even the remains of a tropical system can still cause damage.
Two of the most devastating and memorable storms to hit South Carolina were both category 4 hurricanes; Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The National Weather Service in Charleston, SC created a video series that gives an overview of Hurricane Hugo and its impacts along the South Carolina coast.
Source: Radar image of Hurricane Helene | WikiMedia
Did You Know?
In 1958, Hurricane Helene, a category 4 storm, made an abrupt turn before it made landfall along the South Carolina coast. The strong offshore winds, combined with low tide, made it possible to drive vehicles around the end of the 2nd Avenue Myrtle Beach Pier, which extends out 906 feet from the shore.
You can learn more about the tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes that have impacted South Carolina by exploring the Historic Hurricane Track Tool, provided by NOAA.