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 26, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Significant saltwater inundation will render numerous roads impassable. Properties may also flood.”
NWS Charleston SC, Coastal Flood Warning, 2:35 AM EDT Oct 26, 2026 · official alert
“High tide will occur around 8:18 AM today at Charleston.”
NWS Charleston SC, Coastal Flood Warning, 2:35 AM EDT Oct 26, 2026 · official alert
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.”
NWS Charleston SC, Coastal Flood Warning, 2:35 AM EDT Oct 26, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. 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.
Saltwater flooding is possible 1 to 2 hours before and after high tide, which is around 8:18 AM at Charleston. Check water.weather.gov for water level and flood impact information.
A High Surf Advisory runs until 2 PM EDT, and a High Rip Current Risk continues through this evening. Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water.
Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float, and do not swim against it. If able, swim along the shoreline. If you cannot escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 768 claims in Colleton County from 1979 to 2025 and 19,300 claims in Charleston County from 1978 to 2026. These counts cover only insured properties, so they likely 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 Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Updates
- The coastal flood warning is no longer in effect.
- 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 at 2:35 AM EDT. It lasts until 11:00 AM EDT Monday, October 26, 2026.
- How much flooding is expected in Charleston County?
- The National Weather Service expects one to two feet of saltwater flooding above ground along shorelines and tidal waterways. Numerous roads may become impassable and some properties may flood.
- When is high tide in Charleston today?
- High tide is around 8:18 AM today at Charleston, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding is possible 1 to 2 hours before and after high tide.
Sources
- NWS Charleston SC: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 26, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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