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Lancaster County School District Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Lancaster County School District is lower than South Carolina average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Lancaster County School District is about the same as South Carolina average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #75
| Lancaster County School District | 0.10 |
| 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
| Lancaster County School District | 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, #72
| Lancaster County School District | 135.22 |
| 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 3,577 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Lancaster County School District 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: | 6 | Dense Fog: | 2 | Drought: | 33 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 264 | Hail: | 1,043 | Heat: | 4 | Heavy Snow: | 13 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 18 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 10 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,910 | Tropical Storm: | 2 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 33 | Winter Weather: | 17 |
| Other: | 222 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Lancaster County School District.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Lancaster County School District.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 45.8 | 1945-07-26 | 5.6 | N/A | 34.5 | -81.5 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 41 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Lancaster County School District.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 11.8 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°33'N / 80°37'W | 34°36'N / 80°35'W | 2.00 Miles | 530 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25.0M | 0 | Lancaster |
| 12.6 | 1957-04-08 | 4 | 34°38'N / 80°35'W | 34°39'N / 80°28'W | 6.80 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lancaster |
| 12.9 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°32'N / 80°38'W | 34°33'N / 80°37'W | 2.00 Miles | 530 Yards | 0 | 31 | 25.0M | 0 | Kershaw |
| 16.9 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 34°28'N / 80°48'W | 0.80 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Kershaw | |
| 20.5 | 1950-05-14 | 2 | 35°00'N / 80°41'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 5 | 0K | 0 | Union | |
| 21.8 | 1983-03-06 | 2 | 34°59'N / 80°33'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Union | |
| 22.4 | 1990-10-18 | 3 | 34°59'N / 80°41'W | 35°01'N / 80°27'W | 12.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 23.8 | 1989-05-05 | 4 | 34°59'N / 80°44'W | 35°06'N / 80°33'W | 13.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 6 | 25.0M | 0 | Union |
| 27.5 | 1968-06-07 | 2 | 35°00'N / 80°35'W | 35°12'N / 80°45'W | 16.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mecklenburg |
| 28.1 | 2004-09-27 | 2 | 34°20'N / 80°58'W | 34°22'N / 80°59'W | 2.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | Fairfield |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado destroyed 5 mobile homes, did moderate to severe damage to 2 framed homes and injurred 13 people. One 57 year old male died. Two vehicles were moved 20 to 30 yards. M51MH | |||||||||||
| 28.6 | 2004-09-07 | 3 | 34°16'N / 80°35'W | 34°21'N / 80°36'W | 7.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Kershaw |
| Brief Description: An F3 tornado demolished several mobile homes and severely damaged cinder block horse stables at a horse farm. A large horse trailer was lifted up and placed on top of the stable. Several outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees and powerlines were down. | |||||||||||
| 30.6 | 1994-04-16 | 2 | 34°45'N / 81°17'W | 34°47'N / 81°15'W | 3.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 1 | 4 | 5.0M | 0 | Chester |
| Brief Description: A short-lived, but intense, mesocyclone developed along a squall line ahead of a cold front at about 0045 EST and moved into western Chester County. The mesocyclone intensified within a matter of 10 to 20 minutes into a F2 tornado that touched down four miles southwest of Lowrys and moved four miles to near Lowrys before dissipating. Three mobile homes completely disintegrated, three barns crushed, a new pickup truck was completely destoyed, four mobile homes were damaged, four people were injured (one seriously) and another killed. More than 2000 residents lost electrical power due to the tornado. F64M. | |||||||||||
| 30.7 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°22'N / 81°19'W | 34°25'N / 80°55'W | 21.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 5 | 49 | 25.0M | 0 | Fairfield |
| 31.4 | 2004-09-07 | 2 | 35°05'N / 81°02'W | 35°06'N / 81°01'W | 2.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Mecklenburg |
| Brief Description: This tornado moved north from South Carolina, and produced widespread damage to trees and power lines along its 2-mile path across the southwest corner of Mecklenburg County. The roof of a well-constructed home was blown off, and several other homes incurred shingle damage. A sheet of wallboard was torn off a garage wall and blown away. There was additional damage to automobiles and homes due to fallen trees. | |||||||||||
| 32.2 | 1957-04-08 | 4 | 34°39'N / 80°28'W | 34°44'N / 79°52'W | 34.50 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 16 | 250K | 0 | Chesterfield |
| 32.4 | 1997-07-23 | 2 | 34°13'N / 80°34'W | 34°18'N / 80°33'W | 6.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 1 | 225K | 0 | Kershaw |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado produced winds to 135 mph. Numerous trees were down. Two homes had major damage and three had minor damage. One mobile home was destroyed and three others had minor damage. One person was injured. | |||||||||||
| 32.6 | 1992-03-10 | 2 | 35°07'N / 81°00'W | 35°09'N / 80°57'W | 3.40 Miles | 180 Yards | 0 | 18 | 2.5M | 0 | Mecklenburg |
| 33.4 | 1980-05-18 | 2 | 35°06'N / 80°26'W | 35°07'N / 80°23'W | 3.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 33.6 | 1984-03-28 | 2 | 34°34'N / 80°10'W | 2.00 Miles | 530 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Chesterfield | |
| 34.3 | 1973-05-28 | 2 | 35°06'N / 81°06'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | York | |
| 35.2 | 1973-05-24 | 2 | 34°58'N / 81°16'W | 2.00 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | York | |
| 36.9 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 37.2 | 2008-03-15 | 2 | 34°10'N / 80°49'W | 34°10'N / 80°42'W | 7.00 Miles | 1230 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0K | Kershaw |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF2 tornado went through the Elgin community doing heavy damage to many homes including partial to total roofs gone and destroying 4 mobile homes. None of the mobiles were tied down and crumbled from rolling. Numerous trees and powerlines were down and there were 2 injuries. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Seven supercells tracked across our South Carolina County Warning Area and produced many long-lived tornadoes that did significant damage. Over 85 homes were destroyed, around 400 had moderate damage, and estimates for the total devastation were around 40 million dollars. | |||||||||||
| 37.6 | 1984-03-28 | 3 | 34°20'N / 81°22'W | 34°21'N / 81°05'W | 15.00 Miles | 870 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Fairfield |
| 39.1 | 1973-05-28 | 2 | 35°12'N / 80°59'W | 35°18'N / 80°52'W | 9.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Mecklenburg |
| 41.2 | 1965-09-12 | 2 | 35°18'N / 80°48'W | 0.30 Mile | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mecklenburg | |
| 41.2 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 35°06'N / 80°32'W | 35°18'N / 80°07'W | 27.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 42.0 | 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 |
| 42.3 | 1999-09-29 | 2 | 35°16'N / 80°26'W | 35°16'N / 80°26'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stanly |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down briefly and took the entire roof off a brick ranch. No other damage was noted in the area. A spotter was tracking the funnel. | |||||||||||
| 43.0 | 2008-05-09 | 2 | 35°15'N / 81°10'W | 35°16'N / 81°00'W | 9.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 7.0M | 0K | Gaston |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado track began just southeast of Gastonia and continued well into Mecklenburg County on the northwest side of Charlotte. Where the tornado first touched down, part of the roof was blown off the roof of an office building near the intersection of Union Rd and Garrison Bvd. The tornado continued east-northeast to the Garrison Blvd, S New Hope Rd area, where numerous homes and businesses received minor to moderate roof damage and numerous large trees were uprooted. The tornado produced sporadic, mainly minor damage as it moved through McAdenville, where it crossed I-85, blowing several cars off the interstate. The most significant damage was observed in the Catawba Heights/ Belmont area, near I-85, where much of the metal roof was peeled from a large wharehouse, causing 7 million dollars in damage. Another industrial business in this area lost most of its roof. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A mini-supercell thunderstorms produced a tornado with a nearly 20 mile path through the Gastonia and Charlotte metro areas during the early morning hours of May 9th. | |||||||||||
| 43.5 | 1975-03-24 | 2 | 34°59'N / 80°22'W | 35°20'N / 80°02'W | 30.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 44.1 | 1976-05-15 | 2 | 34°50'N / 80°03'W | 35°00'N / 79°57'W | 12.80 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 4 | 25K | 0 | Anson |
| 45.7 | 1984-03-28 | 3 | 34°19'N / 81°25'W | 34°20'N / 81°22'W | 4.00 Miles | 870 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Newberry |
| 45.9 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 46.3 | 1968-05-17 | 2 | 34°12'N / 80°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Darlington | |
| 46.3 | 1973-12-13 | 2 | 34°12'N / 81°32'W | 34°12'N / 81°00'W | 30.50 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Newberry |
| 47.0 | 1976-05-15 | 2 | 34°02'N / 81°00'W | 34°05'N / 80°59'W | 3.80 Miles | 40 Yards | 1 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Richland |
| 47.6 | 1964-08-29 | 2 | 34°08'N / 81°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Richland | |
| 48.9 | 1960-03-30 | 2 | 34°15'N / 81°27'W | 34°16'N / 81°21'W | 5.90 Miles | 57 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Newberry |
| 49.6 | 1982-04-27 | 2 | 35°13'N / 80°07'W | 0.10 Mile | 27 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Stanly | |
| 49.8 | 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 |
* 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.