Greenville, SC Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Greenville is lower than South Carolina average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Greenville is higher than South Carolina average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #239
| Greenville, SC | 0.16 |
| 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
| Greenville, SC | 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, #79
| Greenville, SC | 167.88 |
| 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 5,093 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Greenville, SC 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: | 46 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 419 | Hail: | 1,562 | Heat: | 11 | Heavy Snow: | 34 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 1 | Ice Storm: | 19 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 46 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,566 | Tropical Storm: | 7 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 22 | Winter Weather: | 27 |
| Other: | 310 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Greenville, SC.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 2 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Greenville, SC.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 35.0 | 1979-08-26 | 3.7 | 2 | 34.93 | -82.97 |
| 34.3 | 1981-05-05 | 3.5 | 13 | 35.33 | -82.43 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 52 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Greenville, SC.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 2.2 | 1973-05-27 | 3 | 34°46'N / 82°26'W | 34°55'N / 82°13'W | 16.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 17 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville |
| 2.3 | 1979-03-23 | 2 | 34°51'N / 82°24'W | 0.10 Mile | 77 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville | |
| 3.1 | 1967-05-02 | 2 | 34°50'N / 82°25'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Greenville | |
| 7.1 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°46'N / 82°30'W | 34°49'N / 82°27'W | 3.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville |
| 9.3 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 34°46'N / 82°37'W | 34°52'N / 82°26'W | 12.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pickens |
| 10.0 | 1952-05-10 | 3 | 34°48'N / 82°15'W | 34°48'N / 82°08'W | 6.60 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Greenville |
| 10.3 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°45'N / 82°32'W | 34°46'N / 82°30'W | 2.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Anderson |
| 13.5 | 1998-01-07 | 2 | 34°48'N / 82°36'W | 34°50'N / 82°36'W | 1.50 Miles | 35 Yards | 0 | 4 | 3.0M | 0 | Pickens |
| Brief Description: A tornado developed from a fast moving severe thunderstorm that raced north out of eastern Georgia. The F2 tornado destroyed several houses and mobile homes and severely damaged many other homes and businesses. Damage was sustained to the south of the track of the tornado due to strong inflow into the storm. Damage from severe thunderstorm winds in the rear flank downdraft occurred north into Easley. A powerful winter storm brought flooding rain, high winds, and a tornado to the Upstate from the evening of the 7th into the early morning of the 8th. Rainfall between 4 and 7 inches during a 2-day period across the mountains and foothills resulted in significant flooding. Many roads and bridges were covered or washed out. A wash out in Pickens county resulted in one fatality. Thunderstorms raced north through the area adding to the deluge as well as creating or enhancing strong to damaging winds. An F2 tornado touched down near Easley. Meso-scale high winds behind the complex of thunderstorms moved across the northern half of Greenville county and blew down trees and power lines. Severe thunderstorm winds combined with strong gradient winds to down trees and power lines in York county as well. | |||||||||||
| 13.6 | 1980-04-13 | 2 | 34°34'N / 82°25'W | 34°43'N / 82°22'W | 10.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville |
| 14.1 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°53'N / 82°47'W | 34°59'N / 82°23'W | 23.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pickens |
| 15.5 | 1973-05-27 | 3 | 34°55'N / 82°13'W | 35°00'N / 82°03'W | 11.10 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 16 | 2.5M | 0 | Spartanburg |
| 18.3 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°54'N / 82°03'W | 2.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Spartanburg | |
| 21.2 | 1952-05-10 | 3 | 34°48'N / 82°08'W | 34°48'N / 81°51'W | 16.10 Miles | 83 Yards | 2 | 4 | 0K | 0 | Spartanburg |
| 23.1 | 1997-02-21 | 2 | 34°55'N / 81°58'W | 34°55'N / 81°58'W | 1.00 Mile | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 330K | 0 | Spartanburg |
| 26.6 | 1985-08-17 | 2 | 34°58'N / 82°00'W | 35°06'N / 81°55'W | 9.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 39 | 2.5M | 0 | Spartanburg |
| 27.0 | 1984-03-28 | 2 | 34°33'N / 82°05'W | 34°37'N / 81°55'W | 10.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 43 | 25.0M | 0 | Laurens |
| 27.4 | 1996-09-16 | 2 | 34°37'N / 82°48'W | 34°35'N / 82°42'W | 6.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 3.0M | 0 | Anderson |
| 27.9 | 1980-04-13 | 2 | 34°23'N / 82°45'W | 34°34'N / 82°25'W | 22.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Anderson |
| 28.0 | 2008-08-26 | 2 | 34°39'N / 82°48'W | 34°39'N / 82°48'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pickens |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado damage path extended from northwest Anderson County, into extreme southern Pickens County, affecting the research area on the south side of the Clemson University campus. Damage was limited to downed trees and power lines. Numerous large trees were snapped off on a ridge very close to the Pickens, Anderson County line, where wind speeds were estimated at close to 120 mph, earning the tornado an EF2 rating. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay stalled just west of the Appalachians and slowly dissipated. A line of mini-supercells developed southeast of the low, resulting in several tornadoes over the Upstate and Northwest Piedmont of South Carolina during the afternoon hours of the 26th. A small amount of flash flooding also occurred, though the flooding was much worse in North Carolina. | |||||||||||
| 29.4 | 1973-11-21 | 2 | 34°29'N / 82°39'W | 0.30 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Anderson | |
| 29.9 | 2005-01-13 | 2 | 34°24'N / 82°08'W | 34°33'N / 82°01'W | 12.00 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.0M | 0 | Laurens |
| Brief Description: This tornado touched down in the Ekom Community southwest of the city of Laurens, where it damaged a couple of mobile homes. The tornado then tracked northeast to the area around Laurens High School, where some small sheds were destroyed and a portion of the roof removed from a house. At the high school, the roof of a brick concession facility was blown off. Just east of the school, a mobile home was destroyed and a building received significant roof damage. The tornado continued northeast toward the Whelon Rd area, uprooting and snapping off several large trees. A small, frame guest house was damaged and a tractor overturned in this area. The tornado continued to snap and uproot large trees as it moved toward Welcome Church Rd, where 4 mobile homes were damaged and a frame home received minor roof damage. The damage path continued northeast, but ended about 200 yards north of highway 14. After briefly lifting, the tornado struck a tire distribution center just north of the highway 221 I-385 exchange. The roof of a building at the plant was damaged, which sparked a large fire in the building, burning it to the ground. An employee at the plant received minor injuries when debris fell on him. The tornado dissipated near highway 221 north of Laurens. | |||||||||||
| 30.5 | 1975-11-12 | 2 | 34°40'N / 81°52'W | 0.70 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Edgefield | |
| 30.8 | 1973-05-27 | 3 | 35°00'N / 82°03'W | 35°10'N / 81°46'W | 19.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Cherokee |
| 31.0 | 1980-05-23 | 2 | 34°39'N / 81°52'W | 2.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Spartanburg | |
| 33.6 | 1989-05-05 | 4 | 35°05'N / 81°56'W | 35°10'N / 81°50'W | 6.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 2 | 35 | 2.5M | 0 | Spartanburg |
| 33.9 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°18'N / 82°31'W | 34°24'N / 82°21'W | 11.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Abbeville |
| 34.7 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 35°09'N / 82°50'W | 35°12'N / 82°48'W | 4.30 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Transylvania |
| 35.2 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°52'N / 82°59'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Oconee | |
| 35.5 | 1994-06-26 | 2 | 34°51'N / 83°02'W | 34°58'N / 82°56'W | 12.00 Miles | 900 Yards | 0 | 1 | 500K | 0 | Oconee |
| 36.4 | 1974-04-08 | 3 | 34°25'N / 82°45'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Anderson | |
| 37.7 | 1960-03-30 | 2 | 34°25'N / 82°00'W | 34°27'N / 81°50'W | 9.80 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Laurens |
| 38.7 | 1989-05-05 | 4 | 35°10'N / 81°50'W | 35°11'N / 81°48'W | 3.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Cherokee |
| 39.5 | 1994-08-16 | 3 | 34°38'N / 81°31'W | 34°59'N / 81°49'W | 30.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Union And Spartanburg |
| Brief Description: Tornado began near Santuc as a large multi-vortex F3 tornado. Spotters engaged the storm almost immediately and followed it as it curved north to northwest through the County. The storm had intermittent ground contact of about 30 to 40 percent but there was not a great deal of separation between areas of damage. The path width gradually diminished to about 50 yards from 0.75 mile initially, and the storm intensity gradually weakened to F2 and then to F1 at Pauline. The tornado crossed into Spartanburg County near Pacolet Mills at 1545EST. A well constructed home near Santuc was destroyed, a stationary vehicle was thrown aout 150 yds, and other homes and structures received severe damage along its path. | |||||||||||
| 39.5 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 35°01'N / 81°42'W | 0.50 Mile | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cherokee | |
| 39.8 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°40'N / 83°06'W | 34°40'N / 82°58'W | 6.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Oconee |
| 40.3 | 1973-03-31 | 4 | 34°15'N / 82°17'W | 34°16'N / 82°15'W | 2.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenwood |
| 40.9 | 1989-05-05 | 4 | 35°11'N / 81°48'W | 35°15'N / 81°49'W | 6.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Rutherford |
| 42.0 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°16'N / 82°10'W | 34°16'N / 82°03'W | 6.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenwood |
| 42.3 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°48'N / 83°17'W | 34°57'N / 82°56'W | 22.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Oconee |
| 42.8 | 1957-04-08 | 2 | 34°38'N / 81°47'W | 34°38'N / 81°31'W | 15.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Union |
| 43.5 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°16'N / 82°03'W | 34°17'N / 81°59'W | 4.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Laurens |
| 45.1 | 1989-11-15 | 2 | 34°13'N / 82°07'W | 0.70 Mile | 267 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Greenwood | |
| 45.8 | 2009-04-10 | 2 | 34°11'N / 82°28'W | 34°10'N / 82°21'W | 7.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 2 | 1.0M | 0K | Abbeville |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: NWS survey found an extensive area of damage in the city of Abbeville consistent with a strong EF2 tornado. The tornado began near the intersection of highway 71 and Rock Hill Rd before moving east/southeast through the city of Abbeville. The main areas affected in the city were Church Street, McGowan, Ave, Main St, and especially Secession Ave. The roofs were blown off about a half dozen frame homes in the city, while numerous mobile homes were heavily damaged or destroyed. A few other office buildings and businesses received major roof damage in this area. Numerous trees were snapped off or uprooted along the path. One tree fell through a home, injuring the man inside. Another man caught outside received head injuries from flying debris. The tornado lifted about a mile east/southeast of the city. The tornado was produced by a supercell embedded in a line of rapidly moving storms. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Supercell thunderstorms moved into the western upstate in the early evening hours. As the evening progressed, the supercells tended to evolve into a series of bow echoes. Tornadoes were spawned by the supercells and the resultant bow echoes. There was also quite a bit of large hail and straight-line wind damage in places as well. The most significant damage occurred in Greenwood and Abbeville Counties, though tornadoes also caused damage in parts of Anderson and Union Counties as well. | |||||||||||
| 46.3 | 1956-04-06 | 2 | 34°08'N / 82°23'W | 34°12'N / 82°20'W | 5.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Abbeville |
| 46.4 | 1973-03-31 | 4 | 34°05'N / 82°34'W | 34°15'N / 82°17'W | 19.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 7 | 30 | 2.5M | 0 | Abbeville |
| 46.7 | 1970-04-02 | 2 | 34°18'N / 82°56'W | 34°21'N / 82°52'W | 5.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Hart |
| 47.1 | 1993-04-15 | 2 | 34°42'N / 81°35'W | 34°46'N / 81°30'W | 6.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 2 | 5.0M | 0 | Union |
| Brief Description: Exactly an hour after producing the first severe weather in the upstate, the supercell produced its strongest tornado in South Carolina. A high F1/low F2 tornado struck Union. Property damage resulting from the tornado's winds was estimated about $500,000. More hail damage is likely as the hail accumulated to great depths very quickly and near the tornado track was quite large. Winds were estimated from 60 to 90 mph in downtown sections where plate glass windows were blown out. There was also considerable damage to trees and power lines along with damage from the wind-driven hail. Nearer the tornado track damage was more severe with large trees crushing some homes. Mobile homes were damaged or destroyed, and a couple of houses lost roofs from the wind. The large hail quickly clogged storm drains and an estimated 2 to 3 inches of rain fell causing $50,000 in water damage to equipment in the hospital. Highest winds from south of Union to near Monarch were estimated at 115 mph in a small area. Two people were slighlty injured when a falling tree crushed their car. | |||||||||||
| 47.2 | 1973-05-27 | 3 | 35°10'N / 81°46'W | 35°18'N / 81°36'W | 13.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Cleveland |
| 48.2 | 1975-05-18 | 2 | 35°23'N / 81°50'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Rutherford | |||
| 48.8 | 1994-03-27 | 2 | 35°03'N / 82°03'W | 35°24'N / 81°14'W | 25.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Spartanburg |
| 49.2 | 1973-12-13 | 4 | 34°11'N / 82°01'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 2 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenwood | |
| 49.8 | 1989-05-05 | 2 | 34°38'N / 83°14'W | 34°42'N / 83°12'W | 4.50 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Oconee |
* 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.