Florence County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot South Carolina Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Florence County is lower than South Carolina average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Florence County is higher than South Carolina average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #39
| Florence County | 0.07 |
| South Carolina | 0.49 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Florence County | 0.0000 |
| South Carolina | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #11
| Florence County | 161.97 |
| South Carolina | 136.91 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 10,911 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Florence County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 19 | Dense Fog: | 4 | Drought: | 82 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 747 | Hail: | 3,496 | Heat: | 21 | Heavy Snow: | 37 |
| High Surf: | 8 | Hurricane: | 21 | Ice Storm: | 33 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 77 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 5,691 | Tropical Storm: | 22 | Wildfire: | 5 | Winter Storm: | 66 | Winter Weather: | 33 |
| Other: | 549 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Florence County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Florence County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Florence County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 45 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Florence County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 2.4 | 1967-03-12 | 2 | 34°01'N / 79°45'W | 1.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Florence | |
| 2.6 | 1953-01-08 | 2 | 34°01'N / 79°46'W | 34°07'N / 79°39'W | 9.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Florence |
| 3.6 | 1964-07-03 | 2 | 34°03'N / 79°46'W | 2.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Richland | |
| 6.8 | 1981-05-27 | 2 | 34°01'N / 79°37'W | 34°04'N / 79°34'W | 4.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 25K | 0 | Florence |
| 8.8 | 1967-03-12 | 2 | 34°02'N / 79°56'W | 34°08'N / 79°46'W | 11.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Florence |
| 11.4 | 1966-04-13 | 2 | 33°52'N / 79°45'W | 0.20 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Florence | |
| 12.6 | 2006-05-14 | 2 | 34°12'N / 79°45'W | 34°13'N / 79°45'W | 0.60 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.3M | 0 | Florence |
| Brief Description: A Storm Survey concluded a tornado moved through the Glendale community of Florence. The majority of damage was F1 with a path 1000 yards long and up to 150 yards wide. There was a small area (150 yards long 20 yards wide) of heavier F2 damage, with winds estimated at 120 mph. Sixty homes were damaged, six of which had major structural damage, largely due to snapped and uprooted trees. The Quinby area had penny to golfball size hail, with trees and power lines down. The Florence county tax assessor estimated the damage at 1.3 million dollars. | |||||||||||
| 13.3 | 1996-09-16 | 2 | 33°55'N / 79°55'W | 33°55'N / 79°53'W | 1.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 75K | 0K | Sumter |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado produced estimated winds of 120 mph when it touched down in extreme eastern Sumter county. The twister was about 150 yds wide and had a damage path 1.5 miles long. Three out-buildings were completely destroyed with the contents severely damaged. One ttree fell on a Ford Mustang and totalled it. Another tree fell on a home. The roof of a two story house was ripped off and the upstairs ceiling caved in. A farm combine was also turned over and damaged. Initial damage estimates were set at around $75K. | |||||||||||
| 19.4 | 2010-04-25 | 2 | 34°16'N / 79°54'W | 34°17'N / 79°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 6.3M | 0K | Darlington |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF2 tornado with winds estimated to 115 mph. The tornado first touched down near Syracuse Street and Rogers Road. An unanchored double-wide mobile home was rolled off its foundation and onto its side. Several trees along Syracuse Street were uprooted or snapped or had large branches broken off. Several homes suffered minor to moderate shingle damage, largely as a result of fallen trees or branches. The damage was rated EF1 with winds to 90 mph. After briefly lifting, the tornado touched down as it approached Highway 401 and caused major damage to a large steel building. Two bay doors were blown in and a large portion of the roof was lifted and blown off. Sheet metal from the roof was strewn for about 200 yards. A small wooden garage and building were destroyed before the tornado lifted near Highway 401. The damage was rated EF1 with winds to 100 mph. The tornado touched down one last time between Lightly Street and Southern Pine Street. Numerous hardwood trees were uprooted or snapped. A few of these trees, with diameters up to 24 inches, were snapped a few feet from the ground. There was significant damage to some residential homes, primarily the result of falling trees or branches. The tornado continued across Highway 52 business where several businesses and structures sustained minor to moderate damage. A set of car wash bays were blown over and a church lost many shingles and a small portion of its roof. The tornado then continued east of Highway 52 business through a residential neighborhood. Several large trees up to 20 inches in diameter were uprooted. A large section of roof was blown off a home. Cain Elementary School suffered significant damage. Many awnings at the school were damaged or destroyed and one building lost half its roof. Shortly after causing the roof damage to Cain Elementary, the tornado caused more tree damage as it lifted through the treetops. As these trees or their branches fell, several residences sustained minor to moderate damage to include some roof shingle damage. The damage was rated EF2 with winds to 115 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A thunderstorm developed along a surface boundary during the evening. The thunderstorm developed supercell characteristics soon after moving into Darlington County and spawned several tornadoes over its lifetime. | |||||||||||
| 20.8 | 1964-08-29 | 2 | 34°18'N / 79°52'W | 0.10 Mile | 13 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Darlington | |
| 22.2 | 1980-05-20 | 2 | 34°14'N / 80°06'W | 34°12'N / 79°57'W | 9.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Darlington |
| 24.0 | 2010-04-25 | 2 | 34°16'N / 80°01'W | 34°16'N / 80°01'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 750K | 0K | Darlington |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF2 tornado with winds estimated to 130 mph. The tornado first touched down in a stand of pine trees, snapping approximately 30 of them several feet off the ground. The largest of the snapped trees was 12 inches in diameter. The tornado then moved east into a cluster of homes and mobile homes along East 7 Pines Street. One mobile home was blown 20 yards off its frame and was completely destroyed. The debris was blown into another single wide mobile home which was subsequently destroyed. A large pecan tree was uprooted before the tornado lifted off the ground. The damage was rated EF1 with winds to 100 mph. The second touchdown occurred a few hundred yards to the east. The tornado moved over a stand of trees and descended practically on top of a two story single family residence located on East 7 Pines Street. This dwelling was blown off its foundation and flipped over onto two automobiles and in the process was completely destroyed. Three people were in the home at the time. They took shelter in an interior hallway moments before the tornado struck. They were transported to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and released. A Ford Ranger Pickup was lifted and dropped approximately 50 yards away. A horse trailer was lifted and dropped 100 yards away. A large wood framed workshop and horse barn were also destroyed. The tornado moved east approximately two tenths of a mile and damaged or uprooted several trees as it lifted. The damage was rated EF2 with winds to 130 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A thunderstorm developed along a surface boundary during the evening. The thunderstorm developed supercell characteristics soon after moving into Darlington County and spawned several tornadoes over its lifetime. | |||||||||||
| 24.0 | 1961-06-21 | 2 | 34°11'N / 79°24'W | 34°14'N / 79°18'W | 6.80 Miles | 167 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Marion |
| 24.7 | 1962-02-22 | 2 | 34°11'N / 79°24'W | 34°12'N / 79°15'W | 8.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Marion |
| 25.3 | 1955-12-04 | 2 | 34°23'N / 79°36'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Marlboro | |
| 26.5 | 1978-05-04 | 2 | 33°40'N / 80°02'W | 33°44'N / 79°52'W | 10.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Williamsburg |
| 28.1 | 1963-09-29 | 2 | 33°53'N / 80°13'W | 33°55'N / 80°08'W | 5.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sumter |
| 28.4 | 1980-05-20 | 3 | 34°22'N / 79°33'W | 34°24'N / 79°22'W | 10.70 Miles | 517 Yards | 0 | 26 | 2.5M | 0 | Dillon |
| 29.9 | 1955-08-10 | 2 | 34°22'N / 79°26'W | 34°20'N / 79°17'W | 8.80 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Dillon |
| 30.3 | 1967-11-24 | 3 | 33°56'N / 79°13'W | 33°57'N / 79°10'W | 3.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Horry |
| 30.4 | 1968-05-17 | 2 | 34°12'N / 80°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Darlington | |
| 30.7 | 1965-10-07 | 2 | 34°00'N / 79°12'W | 34°01'N / 79°09'W | 3.30 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Horry |
| 31.1 | 1982-06-10 | 2 | 34°11'N / 79°14'W | 34°11'N / 79°10'W | 3.00 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 16 | 2.5M | 0 | Marion |
| 34.4 | 2008-11-15 | 2 | 34°24'N / 79°19'W | 34°24'N / 79°18'W | 1.00 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 325K | 0K | Dillon |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded a tornado first touched down approximately 200 yards south of Dogwood Lakes Road at 1250 AM EST. Large pine trees were snapped and a mobile home rolled about 20 yards before completely disintegrating. It is unknown how well the mobile home was attached to its foundation. A truck was flipped in a church parking lot on Goings Drive. No injuries were reported. The damage was indicative of winds of 110 to 120 mph, EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The path width was approximately 40 yards. The tornado touched down for a second time resulting in near total roof failure and some damage to the exterior walls of a brick home on Pee Dee Church Road near Andre Drive. No injuries were reported. Lesser tree damage and minor structural damage was noted from this point to the north-northeast for one half to three quarters of a mile as the tornado weakened and/or slightly lifted from the ground. Damage then became more significant as the tornado struck another brick home on the corner of Cornelius Place and Dillon Highway. Total roof failure and minor failure of exterior walls was evident. No injuries were reported. The damage was indicative of winds of 110 to 120 mph, EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The tornado then continued north-northeast through a large wooded area. Given the extent of tree damage, winds were estimated to 100 mph. The tornado then intensified as it hit a brick home on Appleton Court. Total roof damage and more significant failure of the external walls was evident. The three occupants were not injured. The damage was indicative of winds of 120 to 135 mph, the high end of EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The path width was about 30 yards. The tornado completely dissipated about 200 yards north of Appleton Court at 1253 AM EST. The Emergency Manager from Dillon County reported ten homes were damaged and two others were destroyed. Seven mobile homes were damaged and three others were destroyed. Three churches were damaged. Five barns were damaged and two others were destroyed. Three cars were damaged and three others were destroyed. The total damage was estimated at $325,000 dollars. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A mid-level short wave lifted to the northeast and slowly weakened with time. A warm front, lifting to the northwest, moved across the area during the evening. High wind shear and deep moisture was in place as upstream supercell thunderstorms reached the Interstate-95 corridor around midnight. | |||||||||||
| 34.8 | 1966-10-01 | 2 | 34°13'N / 80°20'W | 34°15'N / 80°12'W | 8.20 Miles | 117 Yards | 0 | 8 | 25K | 0 | Lee |
| 35.3 | 1982-06-10 | 2 | 34°11'N / 79°10'W | 34°12'N / 79°05'W | 3.00 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Horry |
| 35.9 | 1969-04-18 | 3 | 34°25'N / 80°08'W | 34°40'N / 79°30'W | 39.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Darlington |
| 39.4 | 1963-09-29 | 2 | 34°25'N / 79°22'W | 34°28'N / 79°06'W | 15.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 3 | 12 | 2.5M | 0 | Dillon |
| 39.5 | 2007-04-15 | 3 | 33°47'N / 80°30'W | 33°58'N / 80°15'W | 19.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 5 | 0K | 0K | Sumter |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF3 tornado traveled from southwest to northeast of Sumter destroying a seven mobile homes, severely damaging nine framed homes, and doing light to moderate damage to an additional 62 mobile and framed homes. There was 1 fatality and 3 injuries. The tornado touched down as an EF1 and ended as an EF3 where the fatality occurred at a mobile home on hwy 76. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A cold front with strong dynamics and windshear pushed into the area late Saturday and early Sunday. Hail and microbursts accompanied the first wave of storms while the second wave of storms produced a half dozen tornadoes. The largest was an EF3 that killed on person and injured 3 others. | |||||||||||
| 39.6 | 2004-09-07 | 2 | 33°53'N / 80°23'W | 33°55'N / 80°23'W | 4.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 3 | 1.7M | 0 | Sumter |
| Brief Description: Emergency manager reported 55 homes damaged, 9 destroyed, and 3 injuries. | |||||||||||
| 40.5 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°35'N / 79°55'W | 34°37'N / 79°49'W | 7.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 24 | 25.0M | 0 | Chesterfield |
| 40.5 | 1988-08-28 | 2 | 33°40'N / 80°16'W | 0.80 Mile | 200 Yards | 1 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Clarendon | |
| 41.2 | 2004-09-07 | 2 | 34°28'N / 80°07'W | 34°34'N / 80°08'W | 7.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Chesterfield |
| Brief Description: An F2 destroyed 2 mobile homes and did moderate to severe damage to several others. Numerous trees and powerlines were down. | |||||||||||
| 41.8 | 1985-06-02 | 2 | 33°56'N / 79°02'W | 33°55'N / 78°57'W | 5.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Horry |
| 43.8 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°39'N / 79°45'W | 34°40'N / 79°30'W | 14.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 7 | 100 | 25.0M | 0 | Marlboro |
| 43.9 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°38'N / 79°36'W | 34°40'N / 79°30'W | 5.00 Miles | 2600 Yards | 2 | 115 | 25.0M | 0 | Marlboro |
| 44.6 | 1968-12-07 | 2 | 34°05'N / 78°56'W | 0.30 Mile | 13 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Horry | |
| 44.6 | 1967-12-01 | 2 | 34°09'N / 79°02'W | 34°08'N / 78°51'W | 10.50 Miles | 93 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Horry |
| 44.7 | 1984-03-28 | 2 | 34°03'N / 78°59'W | 34°09'N / 78°53'W | 7.00 Miles | 353 Yards | 0 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Horry |
| 45.4 | 1984-03-28 | 2 | 34°34'N / 80°10'W | 2.00 Miles | 530 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Chesterfield | |
| 45.6 | 1978-05-04 | 2 | 33°26'N / 80°29'W | 33°40'N / 80°02'W | 30.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Clarendon |
| 46.3 | 1965-05-12 | 2 | 33°50'N / 79°03'W | 33°54'N / 78°48'W | 15.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Horry |
| 46.7 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°40'N / 79°30'W | 34°41'N / 79°26'W | 3.00 Miles | 2113 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Scotland |
| 48.7 | 1957-04-08 | 4 | 34°44'N / 79°52'W | 34°44'N / 79°37'W | 14.20 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Marlboro |
| 49.5 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°40'N / 79°30'W | 34°45'N / 79°22'W | 8.00 Miles | 2640 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Scotland |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.