The most common hazards and risks associated with the Lowcountry area are hurricanes, flooding, tornados and severe weather . Hurricanes are often called the greatest storms on earth, and South Carolina is vulnerable. Twenty-three tropical cyclones made landfall on the South Carolina coast from 1893 to October 1997.
Flooding occurs in low-lying areas of South Carolina such as river basins and coastal areas.
In 1990, 12-inch rains from the remnants of tropical storms caused the failure of at least 120 dams, closed roadways and bridges and forced evacuations. Tornados kill one person and injure nine on average in South Carolina each year. Fifty-four tornados were reported in the Palmetto State in 1995. Severe weather affects South Carolina year-round. Thunderstorms, lightning, hail and extreme heat are hazards in summer.