Key facts
- Alert
- Coastal Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Charleston SC
- Areas
- Coastal Colleton; Charleston
- In effect
- until 11:00 AM EDT, Oct 25, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Significant saltwater inundation will render numerous roads impassable.”
NWS Charleston SC, Coastal Flood Warning, 3:04 AM EDT Oct 25, 2026 · official alert
“If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.”
NWS Charleston SC, Coastal Flood Warning, 3:04 AM EDT Oct 25, 2026 · official alert
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.”
NWS Charleston SC, Coastal Flood Warning, 3:04 AM EDT Oct 25, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. Saltwater flooding is possible 1 to 2 hours before and after high tide, which is around 7:34 AM Sunday at Charleston.
If you must travel, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away. Visit water.weather.gov for water level and flood impact information.
Dangerous surf and rip currents are also expected. Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water. Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If you can, swim along the shoreline. If you cannot escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 19,300 claims in Charleston County between 1978 and 2026, and 768 claims in Colleton County between 1979 and 2025. These counts cover only insured properties, so they understate total flood losses.
Both counties have had federal disaster declarations for hurricanes, including Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Colleton County also had declarations for Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby in 2024.
Updates
- The coastal flood warning is no longer in effect.
- The National Weather Service updated the coastal flood warning; it remains in effect until 11:00 AM EDT.
- NWS Charleston SC issued the coastal flood warning until 11:00 AM EDT.
History here
This county: 768 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2025.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4835 (2024): tropical storm debby
- DR-4829 (2024): hurricane helene
- DR-4677 (2022): hurricane ian
- DR-4542 (2020): severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds
- DR-4464 (2019): hurricane dorian
This county: 19300 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4677 (2022): hurricane ian
- DR-4464 (2019): hurricane dorian
- DR-4394 (2018): hurricane florence
- DR-4346 (2017): hurricane irma
- DR-4286 (2016): hurricane matthew
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Questions
- Is there a Coastal Flood Warning in Charleston, South Carolina?
- Yes. The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Charleston and Coastal Colleton Counties from 4 AM to 11 AM EDT Sunday. It was issued at 9:42 PM EDT Saturday.
- How much flooding is expected in Charleston County?
- The National Weather Service expects one to two feet of inundation above ground level along shorelines and tidal waterways. Numerous roads may become impassable and properties may flood.
- When is high tide in Charleston on Sunday?
- High tide is expected around 7:34 AM Sunday at Charleston. Saltwater flooding is possible 1 to 2 hours before and after high tide.
Sources
- NWS Charleston SC: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 25, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.