Pelion, SC Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Pelion is lower than South Carolina average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Pelion is higher than South Carolina average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #184
| Pelion, SC | 0.20 |
| 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
| Pelion, 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, #107
| Pelion, SC | 164.06 |
| 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 3,420 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Pelion, 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: | 1 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 1 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 88 | Hail: | 1,066 | Heat: | 1 | Heavy Snow: | 0 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 10 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 7 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,144 | Tropical Storm: | 2 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 17 | Winter Weather: | 5 |
| Other: | 78 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Pelion, SC.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 2 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Pelion, SC.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 41.7 | 1967-10-23 | 3.8 | N/A | 33.4 | -80.7 |
| 20.3 | 1968-09-22 | 3.7 | N/A | 34 | -81.5 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 59 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Pelion, SC.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 8.0 | 1994-08-16 | 2 | 33°54'N / 81°15'W | 2.00 Miles | 25 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lexington | |
| Brief Description: Tornado demolished the north portion of a mini-warehouse complex near the SC602 and SC6 intersection. It moved northward and overturned three cars in Redbank, blew down trees and power lines. | |||||||||||
| 9.1 | 1994-08-16 | 3 | 33°55'N / 81°15'W | 0.30 Mile | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lexington | |
| Brief Description: Tornado completely destroyed a square stick frame home. | |||||||||||
| 12.7 | 1957-04-05 | 2 | 33°50'N / 81°32'W | 34°02'N / 81°15'W | 21.30 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Lexington |
| 14.2 | 1997-07-23 | 2 | 33°51'N / 81°03'W | 33°53'N / 81°01'W | 3.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 6 | 917K | 25K | Lexington |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado producing winds to 150 mph killed a 32 year old female and injured 6 others. Two homes were destroyed and 9 others had major damage. Two apartements were destroyed (duplex). Seven mobile homes were destroyed and 94 had minor damage. Numerous trees were down and two crop fields had areas of destroyed crops. F32PH | |||||||||||
| 16.7 | 1978-07-25 | 2 | 33°34'N / 81°08'W | 0.10 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Orangeburg | |
| 19.2 | 2010-03-28 | 2 | 33°59'N / 81°30'W | 34°02'N / 81°25'W | 5.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 1 | 1.0M | 10K | Lexington |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF2 with max winds of 125mph touched down near Ridge Road and continued northeast to Lake Murray. Around 40 homes had some form of damage with numerous trees and powerlines down. Several vehicles were also damaged and there was one minor injury. One horse was killed when a portion of a barn collapsed. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several supercell thunderstorms moved through the CSRA and Midlands and spawned several tornadoes. Many homes were damaged in Lexington county with several others in Edgefield county. Numerous trees were also taken down. | |||||||||||
| 19.4 | 1955-03-13 | 2 | 33°51'N / 81°40'W | 33°53'N / 81°30'W | 9.90 Miles | 133 Yards | 2 | 10 | 250K | 0 | Saluda |
| 19.7 | 1963-09-28 | 2 | 33°30'N / 81°17'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Orangeburg | |
| 20.4 | 1998-03-08 | 2 | 33°32'N / 81°05'W | 33°32'N / 81°04'W | 1.30 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 80K | 0 | Orangeburg |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado tracked along highway 4 near Pine Hill. It picked up 2 mobile homes, took them 35 ft into the air, and brought them down on top of a 35 ft by 75 ft cinder block building 30 yards away completely destroying the mobile homes and the building. Other damage was done to a couple other mobile and permanent homes, and also to a church roof. A second 12 ft by 24 ft cinder block building was also demolished. | |||||||||||
| 20.4 | 1975-11-12 | 2 | 34°00'N / 81°01'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Richland | |
| 23.8 | 1976-05-15 | 2 | 33°28'N / 81°02'W | 33°31'N / 81°03'W | 3.80 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Orangeburg |
| 24.3 | 1964-08-29 | 2 | 34°08'N / 81°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Richland | |
| 24.3 | 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 |
| 24.5 | 1989-05-01 | 2 | 33°24'N / 81°26'W | 33°30'N / 81°22'W | 4.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 12 | 2.5M | 0 | Barnwell |
| 25.6 | 1987-08-31 | 2 | 33°56'N / 80°51'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Richland | |
| 26.1 | 1967-05-29 | 2 | 33°55'N / 80°50'W | 0.50 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Richland | |
| 27.1 | 1973-12-13 | 2 | 34°10'N / 81°24'W | 34°10'N / 81°20'W | 3.80 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Newberry |
| 27.3 | 1992-11-22 | 2 | 34°06'N / 81°32'W | 34°07'N / 81°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 550 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Newberry |
| 28.2 | 1992-11-22 | 2 | 33°53'N / 81°50'W | 34°06'N / 81°32'W | 29.00 Miles | 550 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Saluda |
| 28.6 | 2004-12-10 | 3 | 33°34'N / 80°50'W | 33°36'N / 80°49'W | 1.50 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Orangeburg |
| Brief Description: Damage survey found an F3 tornado demolished a brick church, completely destroyed 2 mobile homes and several outbuildings. The main damage occurred on Coulter road. | |||||||||||
| 28.6 | 2004-09-07 | 2 | 33°50'N / 80°45'W | 33°52'N / 80°47'W | 2.50 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 3 | 100K | 0 | Richland |
| Brief Description: NWS survey found 3 mobile destroyed, several others damaged along with a couple of businesses. Three people were injured. Numerous trees and powerlines down. | |||||||||||
| 28.7 | 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 |
| 28.9 | 2004-12-10 | 2 | 33°39'N / 80°47'W | 33°39'N / 80°47'W | 0.50 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Calhoun |
| Brief Description: Damage survey found an F2 tornado tore most of the concrete roof off a warehouse and damaged several vehicles and other outbuildings. | |||||||||||
| 29.9 | 1975-02-18 | 2 | 33°22'N / 81°25'W | 33°22'N / 81°22'W | 3.30 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Barnwell |
| 30.3 | 1992-11-22 | 3 | 34°07'N / 81°34'W | 34°16'N / 81°21'W | 18.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Newberry |
| 30.7 | 1990-10-22 | 2 | 33°35'N / 80°47'W | 0.10 Mile | 20 Yards | 1 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Calhoun | |
| 32.0 | 1992-11-22 | 3 | 33°58'N / 81°53'W | 34°07'N / 81°34'W | 21.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 1 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Saluda |
| 33.1 | 1998-05-07 | 2 | 33°50'N / 81°53'W | 33°50'N / 81°47'W | 6.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 0 | Edgefield |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado touched down west of Johnston and moved into the community just after 8 pm EDT causing major damage to several homes and businesses. | |||||||||||
| 33.4 | 2008-03-15 | 3 | 34°13'N / 81°45'W | 34°12'N / 81°20'W | 24.00 Miles | 1320 Yards | 2 | 2 | 0K | 0K | Newberry |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: NWS Storm Survey found an EF3 tornado touched down near Silverstreet and continued east through Prosperity then crossed into Richald county where it dissipated. Many homes in Prosperity were heavily damaged. Numerous trees and powerlines were down. 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. | |||||||||||
| 33.7 | 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 |
| 34.0 | 2008-03-15 | 2 | 33°29'N / 81°54'W | 33°24'N / 81°28'W | 25.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Aiken |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Extensive damage in the Clearwater area. Numerous trees and powerlines down along the entire track, especially in the Clearwater area. Many homes had severe damage to roofs and stuctures. Some roofs were gone. The water tower had its top taken off and deposited several hundred yards away. Damage path was a mile wide a some points. It was amazing there were no injuries or deaths. 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. | |||||||||||
| 34.6 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°12'N / 81°43'W | 34°14'N / 81°25'W | 17.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Newberry |
| 34.9 | 1991-03-03 | 2 | 33°19'N / 81°37'W | 33°25'N / 81°35'W | 6.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Aiken |
| 36.8 | 1983-04-23 | 3 | 33°14'N / 81°13'W | 33°19'N / 80°56'W | 16.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Bamberg |
| 37.9 | 1991-03-03 | 2 | 33°19'N / 81°38'W | 33°21'N / 81°38'W | 5.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Aiken |
| 37.9 | 1983-04-23 | 3 | 33°19'N / 80°56'W | 33°20'N / 80°52'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Orangeburg |
| 38.1 | 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 |
| 38.1 | 2009-04-10 | 3 | 33°24'N / 81°51'W | 33°23'N / 81°36'W | 15.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 14 | 5.0M | 0K | Aiken |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The supercell coming out of Richmond county GA spawned another tornado in Aiken county that did widespread damage. Many homes and business were severely damaged. Numerous trees and powerlines were down and there were around a dozen minor injuries. The tornado tracked along hwy 278. There was also one indirect death of a man who crashed trying to avoid trees on the highway and was killed. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Supercell thunderstorms moved across the lower midlands and produced large tornadoes. Other storms in the central midlands produced large hail and microburst wind damage. The largest tornado tracked across Aiken county along highway 278. There was one indirect fatality and around a dozen people were sent to the hospital. Several homes were destroyed and many had moderate to severe damage. Widespread trees and powerlines were also down in Aiken county. Total damage estimate was 6 million dollars. | |||||||||||
| 38.4 | 1991-03-01 | 2 | 33°22'N / 81°42'W | 1.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Aiken | |
| 38.5 | 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 |
| 39.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 39.7 | 1958-04-22 | 2 | 33°35'N / 80°39'W | 33°36'N / 80°34'W | 5.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Calhoun |
| 40.6 | 1983-04-23 | 3 | 33°10'N / 81°27'W | 33°14'N / 81°13'W | 13.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Barnwell |
| 41.1 | 1998-05-07 | 3 | 33°40'N / 82°04'W | 33°39'N / 81°51'W | 12.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 9 | 1.0M | 0 | Edgefield |
| Brief Description: An F3 tornado either destroyed or severely damaged around 60 homes and mobile homes and a church. One person was killed when her mobile home took a direct hit and was completely destroyed. Widespread trees were taken down. F38MH | |||||||||||
| 42.3 | 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 | |||||||||||
| 42.4 | 1998-05-07 | 3 | 33°53'N / 82°02'W | 33°52'N / 81°57'W | 5.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0 | Edgefield |
| Brief Description: An F3 tornado touched down near SC highway 61 and moved east to SC highway 36 taking down numerous trees and causing major and minor damage to several homes. | |||||||||||
| 42.7 | 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 |
| 43.3 | 1984-03-28 | 2 | 34°14'N / 81°45'W | 34°27'N / 81°28'W | 23.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 1 | 38 | 25.0M | 0 | Newberry |
| 43.9 | 1992-11-22 | 3 | 33°52'N / 82°08'W | 33°58'N / 81°53'W | 15.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Edgefield |
| 43.9 | 1989-10-01 | 2 | 33°09'N / 81°42'W | 33°15'N / 81°25'W | 16.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Barnwell |
| 44.7 | 2010-03-28 | 2 | 33°37'N / 82°02'W | 33°39'N / 82°00'W | 2.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 20K | Edgefield |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF2 tornado touched down on hwy 230 near Stevens Creek and took down numerous trees and powerlines. Two homes had moderate damage and a mobile home had half of its roof torn off. A motor home was also crushed from a tree falling on it. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several supercell thunderstorms moved through the CSRA and Midlands and spawned several tornadoes. Many homes were damaged in Lexington county with several others in Edgefield county. Numerous trees were also taken down. | |||||||||||
| 44.7 | 1973-12-13 | 3 | 34°10'N / 81°54'W | 34°11'N / 81°52'W | 2.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Newberry |
| 46.2 | 1991-03-29 | 2 | 33°13'N / 81°41'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Aiken | |
| 46.3 | 1999-04-15 | 2 | 33°07'N / 81°13'W | 33°07'N / 81°11'W | 3.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2K | 20K | Allendale |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado destroyed 20 acres of watermelons and rolled over a large tractor several times. Numerous trees and powerlines were down along the track. | |||||||||||
| 47.2 | 1975-09-17 | 2 | 33°17'N / 81°49'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Aiken | |
| 47.5 | 2008-03-15 | 3 | 33°14'N / 80°51'W | 33°14'N / 80°41'W | 10.00 Miles | 1320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Orangeburg |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Extensive damage in Branchville. One home was destroyed and 16 had other moderate to major damage. One mobile home was destroyed and a half dozen had moderate to major damage. Seven buildings in downtown were destroyed, including a couple of 3 layer deep brick buildings. Thirteen others had major damage and 5 had minor damage. Amazingly there were no injuries or deaths. 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. | |||||||||||
| 47.6 | 1958-04-22 | 2 | 33°36'N / 80°34'W | 33°37'N / 80°21'W | 12.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Clarendon |
| 48.1 | 2009-04-10 | 2 | 33°06'N / 81°25'W | 6.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 0K | Allendale | |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service Survey Team determined a tornado touched down along Roberts Road 3.5 miles northeast of Martin, South Carolina at 1230 AM local time Saturday morning and traveled 5.6 miles before lifting. Initially the tornado uprooted or snapped numerous trees with one tree falling on a mobile home and damaging the roof of the structure. The under-skirting of the mobile home was peeled back by the winds and a couple windows were blown out. Additionally, several cars sustained damage by falling trees outside of the mobile home. Another couple homes along Roberts Road received minor rood damage and a couple carports were slightly damaged as well. The tornado continued to nearly parallel Miller Creek Road downing numerous trees and power lines. The maximum width of the tornado was approximately 500 yards near the intersection of Camp Jackson Road and Miller Creek Road. The tornado lifted 2.3 miles south southeast of Kline, South Carolina just past the intersection of Appleton Road and Barnwell Highway /US Highway 278/ at 1239 AM local time, but not before damaging the roof and cinder-block walls of a home, downing numerous trees and completely destroying the historic Cave Methodist Church. The church was wiped completely off its foundation. Several grave stones surrounding the church were overturned or knocked down. An 18 wheel truck was overturned a couple hundred feet from the Cave Methodist Church with a tree falling on it and causing further damage. In total, 4 homes, 1 mobile home, 1 church and 5 vehicles received damage as a result of the tornado. In addition, hundreds of acres of timber was damaged or destroyed. The tornado did not result in any injuries or fatalities. The National Weather Service Damage Survey Team determined the strength of the tornado to be an EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale with winds estimated between 120 and 130 miles per hour. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An area of low pressure and associated cold front pushed through the southeast where kinematic profiles and anomalously cold air aloft existed. This lead to the development of strong storms over Allendale county overnight on April 10, 2009. | |||||||||||
| 49.6 | 2000-09-22 | 2 | 33°05'N / 81°29'W | 33°05'N / 81°24'W | 4.50 Miles | 750 Yards | 1 | 5 | 290K | 0 | Allendale |
| Brief Description: Fatality occurred in a camper that was one of 10 other campers at a hunt club. The camper was the second one in the line and it appeared to have disintegrated. One of the other campers was turned on its side while the others remained upright, for the most part. Also, there were three mobile homes destroyed, major damage to two mobile homes, minor damage to six mobile homes and major damage to a frame home along with numerous trees down or snapped 10 to 15 feet above the ground. This tornado continued into Barnwell County in WFO Columbia's CWA. M68VE The two tornadoes that occurred in Allendale County were associated with the remnants of T.S. Helene as it moved across Georgia and South Carolina. Heavy rain developed across Berkeley County during the early morning hours of 9/22/00 and caused flooding over the northern half of the county, especially in and around Moncks Corner. The 42 year-old female was killed when she hit a puddle of water and hydroplaned. She hit a pine tree head on and was killed on impact. | |||||||||||
* 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.