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Every federal disaster in Charleston since 1954

Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered Charleston County. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.

Declarations
29since 1954
Major disasters
14the most serious kind
Since 2000
23declarations
Most recent
2026Severe Winter Storm
195419551960197019771980198919901999199920002000200420042005201020142015201520162016201720172018201820192019202020202020202220222023202420242026
Hurricanes and tropical storms (20)Severe storms and tornadoes (3)Winter storms (2)Biological (COVID-19) (2)Other (1)Floods (1)

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Charleston County's overall natural hazard risk relatively high, led by hurricane, coastal flooding and earthquake. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.

All declarations

DeclaredEventTypeFEMA number
Jan 23, 2026Severe Winter StormEmergencyEM-3632
Sep 26, 2024Hurricane HeleneEmergencyEM-3619
Aug 5, 2024Hurricane DebbyEmergencyEM-3606
Aug 31, 2023Hurricane IdaliaEmergencyEM-3597
Nov 21, 2022Hurricane IanMajor disasterDR-4677
Sep 29, 2022Hurricane IanEmergencyEM-3585
Mar 27, 2020COVID-19 PandemicMajor disasterDR-4492
Mar 13, 2020COVID-19EmergencyEM-3470
Sep 30, 2019Hurricane DorianMajor disasterDR-4464
Sep 1, 2019Hurricane DorianEmergencyEM-3421
Sep 16, 2018Hurricane FlorenceMajor disasterDR-4394
Sep 10, 2018Hurricane FlorenceEmergencyEM-3400
Oct 16, 2017Hurricane IrmaMajor disasterDR-4346
Sep 7, 2017Hurricane IrmaEmergencyEM-3386
Oct 11, 2016Hurricane MatthewMajor disasterDR-4286
Oct 6, 2016Hurricane MatthewEmergencyEM-3378
Oct 5, 2015Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-4241
Oct 3, 2015Severe Storms and FloodingEmergencyEM-3373
Feb 12, 2014Severe Winter StormEmergencyEM-3369
Sep 10, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergencyEM-3233
Oct 7, 2004Tropical Storm FrancesMajor disasterDR-1566
Sep 15, 2004Tropical Storm GastonMajor disasterDR-1547
Jan 31, 2000Severe Winter StormMajor disasterDR-1313
Sep 21, 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster DeclarationsMajor disasterDR-1299
Sep 15, 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency DeclarationsEmergencyEM-3145
Sep 22, 1989Hurricane HugoMajor disasterDR-843
Aug 4, 1977DroughtEmergencyEM-3047
Aug 20, 1955HurricanesMajor disasterDR-44
Oct 17, 1954HurricaneMajor disasterDR-29

Frequently asked questions

How many federal disasters has Charleston had?

Since 1954, the federal government has issued 29 disaster or emergency declarations covering Charleston County, including 14 major disaster declarations. 23 of them came in 2000 or later.

What was the most recent federal disaster in Charleston?

Severe Winter Storm (Emergency, declared January 23, 2026).

What kinds of disasters hit Charleston most often?

By FEMA incident type: hurricane (18), severe storm (3), biological (2) and tropical storm (2).

New to Charleston? The city profile covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.

Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named Charleston County, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.