PlainHazard

Oconee County, South Carolina

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 45073 · population 78,560 · 627 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 952 records for Oconee County, South Carolina from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 559 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (330 records). The deadliest single record is the April 13, 2020 tornado: 1 death, 5 injuries and $114 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 24 declarations naming the county since 1977, 22 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on April 7, 2026.

The record, 1950 to 2026

Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).

  • recorded, no damage figure
  • under $100,000
  • $100,000 or more
  • $1 million or more
  • $10 million or more, or a death
  • $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
  • a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
  • a year with a death
  • 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
  • 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
Storm records
952on 559 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
526 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$232Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
31strongest EF3
FEMA declarations
24latest 2026

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.

What hazards hit Oconee County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 330 since 1959. 45% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1959 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among South Carolina's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Oconee County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 330 261 1959-2026 0 2 $2.0M 11 of 46
Hail 209 127 1959-2026 0 0 $820K 6 of 46
Winter storms 162 95 1996-2026 0 0 $14M 3 of 46
Drought 81 42 1998-2026 0 0 – 6 of 46
High wind and dust storms 43 29 1996-2022 1 0 $888K 4 of 46
Floods 34 27 1996-2024 0 0 $2.8M 15 of 46
Tornadoes 31 23 1973-2021 1 20 $139M 20 of 46
Extreme cold 27 18 1996-2026 2 0 $70M 2 of 46
Lightning 13 12 1996-2017 0 4 $1.1M 14 of 46
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 9 6 1998-2005 0 0 – 7 of 46
Heavy rain 6 5 1999-2013 0 0 $14K 17 of 46
Hurricanes and tropical storms 4 2 2020-2024 0 0 $5K 41 of 46
Heat 3 3 1999-2012 1 0 – 24 of 46

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.

How many tornadoes has Oconee County had?

NOAA records 31 tornadoes in Oconee County from 1973 to 2021, the strongest rated EF3, with 1 death and 20 injuries recorded in the county. That is 20th of 46 South Carolina counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.

Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 31 tornadoes whose track touched Oconee County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 31, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Oconee County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
2020-04-13 01:21, as SPC files itSenecaEF316.71 mi1
1994-03-27 14:04, as SPC files itLongcreekCrossed GA, SCF328 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in South Carolina.

Every tornado record filed for Oconee County (31)
Every tornado recorded in Oconee County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2021-08-17 Courtenay, Oconee County EF0 0.14 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $11K
2021-04-10 Richland, Oconee County EF0 1.23 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $33K
2020-04-13 Jocassee, Oconee County EF1 3.97 mi x 400 yd 0 0 –
2020-04-13 Oakway, Oconee County EF3 14.7 mi x 1,000 yd 1 5 $114M
2014-10-14 Madison, Oconee County EF0 0.89 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2010-10-26 Tamassee, Oconee County EF0 0.46 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2010-10-26 Long Creek, Oconee County EF0 0.8 mi x 150 yd 0 0 –
2010-04-08 Fair Play, Oconee County EF0 0.7 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $7K
2009-04-10 Long Creek, Oconee County EF0 0.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
2008-08-26 Cherrys, Oconee County EF0 5.32 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
2004-09-16 Westminster, Oconee County F1 4.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $117K
2004-09-16 Walhalla, Oconee County F0 5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $3K
2000-06-16 Tamassee, Oconee County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2000-06-16 Westminster, Oconee County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $9K
1999-10-04 Tokeena Xrds, Oconee County F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
1998-05-07 Oakway, Oconee County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $9K
1998-05-07 Walhalla, Oconee County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
1997-02-21 Westminster, Oconee County F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd 0 0 $9K
1996-09-16 Tokeena Xrds, Oconee County F1 5 mi x 220 yd 0 0 $376K
1995-01-14 Fair Play, Oconee County F1 30 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $10K
1994-06-26 Pickett Post, Oconee County F2 12 mi x 900 yd 0 1 $995K
1994-03-27 Long Creek To 1 E Pic, Oconee County F3 20 mi x 880 yd 0 12 $20M
1993-03-23 Seneca, Oconee County F0 5 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $102K
1993-03-23 Westminister, Oconee County F0 0.13 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $1K
1990-02-10 Oconee County F1 1 mi x 60 yd 0 1 $250K step
1989-05-05 Oconee County F1 2.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $250K step
1989-05-05 Oconee County F2 4.5 mi x 73 yd 0 0 $25K step
1989-04-04 Oconee County F2 6 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $250K step
1984-03-20 Oconee County F1 0.8 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $25K step
1973-05-27 Oconee County F2 1 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $25K step
1973-05-27 Oconee County F2 22.5 mi x 200 yd 0 1 $250K step

A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.

When was the last damaging storm in Oconee County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 1, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Oconee County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-27 Thunderstorm WindWalhalla, Oconee County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-01 HailSeneca, Oconee County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-01 HailRichland, Oconee County 0.75 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-01 HailTamassee, Oconee County 0.88 in hail 0 0 –
2026-06-01 Thunderstorm WindRichland, Oconee County 50 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-05-01 DroughtOconee County · forecast zone Oconee Mountains 0 0 –
2026-05-01 DroughtOconee County · forecast zone Greater Oconee 0 0 –
2026-04-01 DroughtOconee County · forecast zone Oconee Mountains 0 0 –
2026-04-01 DroughtOconee County · forecast zone Greater Oconee 0 0 –
2026-02-01 Cold/Wind ChillOconee County · forecast zone Greater Oconee 0 0 –
2026-02-01 Cold/Wind ChillOconee County · forecast zone Oconee Mountains 0 0 –
2026-01-31 Heavy SnowOconee County · forecast zone Greater Oconee 0 0 –

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.

The deadliest and costliest records

Records with deaths or injuries in Oconee County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2020-04-13 TornadoOakway, Oconee County NWS Storm Survey found the path of a strong EF3 tornado that began across southern Oconee County, just south of Westminster along Retreat Rd and W Oak Highway. As the tornado moved northeast, damage was largely confined to uprooted and snapped trees as it crossed Highway 11, Brown Farm Rd, and the Coneross Creek ... EF3 14.7 mi x 1,000 yd 1 5 $114M
2007-04-16 High WindOconee County · forecast zone Oconee Mountains After an intense, but relatively brief high wind event affected the mountains and foothills on the evening of the 15th, another widespread damaging high wind event developed during the day of the 16th. However, this particular event included much of the piedmont. Thousands of trees fell across the area, resulting in ... 60 kt wind 1 0 $712K
2000-12-22 Cold/Wind ChillOconee County · forecast zone Southern Oconee The extreme cold that had affected northwest South Carolina for most of December claimed another Oconee County victim early on the 23rd. This victim was a 48-year old female, found locked out of her home, who died due to exposure to the elements. Coroner suspects her medication may have contributed to her ... 1 0 –
2000-12-12 Cold/Wind ChillOconee County · forecast zone Southern Oconee Bitterly cold temperatures persisted over upstate South Carolina during mid-December, eventually reaching dangerous status. A 79-year old male Alzheimer's patient died of susoected hypothermia sometime during the night of the 12th-13th. The heat was off in the man's mobile home when the county coroner went to ... 1 0 –
1999-08-01 HeatOconee County · forecast zone Southern Oconee Two people perished during a week long spell of very hot temperatures and high humidity. The heat was thought to have contributed to a man's heart attack while mowing the grass in Oconee county. An elderly woman died in her home in rural Rock Hill. 1 0 –
1994-03-27 TornadoLong Creek To 1 E Pic, Oconee County F3 20 mi x 880 yd 0 12 $20M
2014-09-06 LightningMountain Rest, Oconee County EM reported two people sustained minor injuries after lightning struck near them at a campground off Highway 107. 0 2 –
2011-06-18 LightningBattle Creek, Oconee County Two people were injured by a lightning strike on the Chattooga River. 0 2 –
The costliest records in Oconee County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2020-04-13 TornadoOakway, Oconee County EF3 14.7 mi x 1,000 yd 1 5 $114M
1994-03-27 TornadoLong Creek To 1 E Pic, Oconee County F3 20 mi x 880 yd 0 12 $20M
2002-12-04 Ice StormOconee County · forecast zone Oconee Mountains 0 0 $3.3M
2004-09-07 FloodOconee County · forecast zone Greater Oconee 0 0 $2.0M
1994-03-27 Thunderstorm WindWestminister To Walha, Oconee County 0 0 $995K
1994-06-26 TornadoPickett Post, Oconee County F2 12 mi x 900 yd 0 1 $995K
2002-04-28 HailMadison, Oconee County 3.00 in hail 0 0 $820K
2007-04-16 High WindOconee County · forecast zone Oconee Mountains 60 kt wind 1 0 $712K

Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 27, 1973 (tornado, Oconee County); February 10, 1990 (tornado, Oconee County); April 4, 1989 (tornado, Oconee County).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.

Is it getting more frequent?

Records per decade for Oconee County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).

Oconee County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind11626627911045
Hail102856497122
Winter storms––––40624713
Drought––––125694
High wind and dust storms––––72961
Floods––––414106

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

45% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1959 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 106 · Feb 79 · Mar 73 · Apr 93 · May 109 · Jun 145 · Jul 101 · Aug 91 · Sep 45 · Oct 22 · Nov 31 · Dec 57 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Oconee County

FEMA's register lists 24 declarations that include Oconee County: 10 major disasters, 14 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (11) and severe storm (3).

Declarations including Oconee County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-04-07DR-4908Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2026-01-23EM-3632Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2024-09-29DR-4829HurricaneHurricane Helene
2024-09-26EM-3619Tropical StormHurricane Helene
2024-08-05EM-3606Tropical StormHurricane Debby
2023-08-31EM-3597HurricaneHurricane Idalia
2022-11-21DR-4677HurricaneHurricane Ian
2022-09-29EM-3585HurricaneHurricane Ian
2020-05-01DR-4542Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds
2020-03-27DR-4492BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-17DR-4479Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2020-03-13EM-3470BiologicalCovid-19
2019-09-01EM-3421HurricaneHurricane Dorian
2018-09-10EM-3400HurricaneHurricane Florence
2017-10-16DR-4346HurricaneHurricane Irma
2017-09-07EM-3386HurricaneHurricane Irma
2016-10-06EM-3378HurricaneHurricane Matthew
2015-10-03EM-3373Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2014-02-12EM-3369Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
2006-01-20DR-1625Severe Ice StormSevere Ice Storm
2005-09-10EM-3233HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2004-10-07DR-1566HurricaneTropical Storm Frances
2004-02-13DR-1509Severe Ice StormSevere Ice Storm
1977-08-04EM-3047DroughtDrought

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.

How many floods has Oconee County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 34 flood or flash flood records for Oconee County from 1996 to 2024, on 27 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Oconee County ranks 2020th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

Named storms on Oconee County's flood and tropical record
StormBeganRecordsDeaths in the county
Tropical Storm Frances2004-09-0710

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $179,000 on 24 claims filed in Oconee County; the most in one year was 4 in 1994. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1989: 1 · 1994: 4 · 1995: 2 · 2002: 1 · 2004: 2 · 2009: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 1; the other years: 0.

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.

FEMA's modeled risk for Oconee County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Oconee County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $45.1 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.

National Risk Index ratings for Oconee County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Cold WaveRelatively High$20Monce in about 2 years (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively High$791K1.4 a year (modeled)
LightningRelatively High$665K61 a year (modeled)
Riverine FloodingRelatively Moderate$16Mabout once a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Moderate$3.3Monce in about 3 years (modeled)
HailRelatively Moderate$640K4.4 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$726K2.2 a year (modeled)
LandslideRelatively Low$25K1.7 a year (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Oconee County

  1. Anderson County 1,016
  2. Oconee County 952
  3. Pickens County 918
  4. Jackson County, NC 800
  5. Transylvania County, NC 550
  6. Macon County, NC 495
  7. Habersham County, GA 440
  8. Rabun County, GA 426
  9. Stephens County, GA 348
  10. Franklin County, GA 307
  11. Hart County, GA 300

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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