Most People Don’t Know About South Carolina’s Deadly Tornado Alley
Robin Jarvis
Author
In South Carolina, we’re so focused on hurricanes and the devastating effects of rising waters during times of flood that we may not realize that tornado activity is on the rise in the Palmetto State. In the first week of March 2019, four tornadoes touched down in South Carolina in one day, proving that there are multiple severe weather threats here in our own backyards. However, generally speaking, most people think of tornadoes as being associated most often with the Tornado Alley of the Great Plains states. But, many people don’t realize America has more than one tornado alley – and one of them is in South Carolina!
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Do you live in or near Carolina Alley? The South Carolina Emergency Management Division has a fantastic tornado resource page on their website. You’ll learn everything from how to prepare, what to do during a tornado, and where to find emergency shelters. Find those tips, and more, on this page of their official website.
Have you experienced a tornado in South Carolina? If you’d like to share some thoughts on your experience, our comments thread is always open to you.
The Palmetto State is no stranger to catastrophic events. Keep reading here for images of the destructive Thousand Year Flood that struck South Carolina in 2015.
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Tornadoes In South Carolina
What are the best things about living in South Carolina?
South Carolina is an amazing place to live, if you like to spend your time outdoors! For most of the year, the weather is ideal for hiking, and when it gets too hot, you can head to the beach or cool off by kayaking down our rivers and in lakes. Be sure you know your gator safety! The Palmetto State is also home to a lot of great attractions, like the Riverbanks Zoo, the historic towns of Aiken and Charleston, and the resort towns of Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island. Our gas taxes are cheap, which makes road trips easy to afford.
What are the worst things about living in South Carolina?
Despite what you may have heard, there are some drawbacks to life in South Carolina. The cost of living is relatively high in some areas, and property taxes can be brutal. In the summer, you've got to worry about Hurricanes, and in the spring, severe thunderstorms bring tornadoes, microbursts, and floods. While we typically have mild winters, if we do get any ice or snow, our towns are woefully unprepared. Socially, SC has had its struggles, too. While most South Carolinians are welcoming and kind, the state has a problem with racial inequality in its systems and in many communities.
What is the weather like in South Carolina in the summer?
Summer in South Carolina is likely the worst season of the year. The sweltering heat of June and July pair with humid air coming from the ocean and make it pretty hard to be outside during the day. Combine that with the threat of floods and thunderstorms, as well as the occasional hurricane, and you've got a recipe for disaster. Winter and early Spring are the best times of the year in the Palmetto State, weather-wise.