Water Damage Restoration in Charleston, SC
Charleston by the numbers: 69 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 6 freezing nights a year, 17 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, South Carolina insurance rules and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Charleston
- Storm flooding: wait until the water stops rising and officials allow re-entry; wear boots and gloves (flooding steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
How Often Charleston Floods
Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties logged flooding on 69 days from 2016 to 2025 (333 NOAA reports), August most often.
At the Charleston 3.0 N gauge, July is the wettest month with 7.6 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 17 report days.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 3.1 |
| February | 3 | 3.2 |
| March | 1 | 3.4 |
| April | 0 | 3.6 |
| May | 2 | 3.3 |
| June | 6 | 5.3 |
| July | 2 | 7.6 |
| August | 16 | 5.9 |
| September | 12 | 5.4 |
| October | 11 | 4.2 |
| November | 9 | 2.8 |
| December | 6 | 4.4 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston County | 60 | 283 |
| Dorchester County | 17 | 31 |
| Berkeley County | 7 | 19 |
Freezing Nights in Charleston
Charleston averages 6 nights a year at or below 32°F (Charleston City station). NOAA counted 4 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties from 2016 to 2025.
Storms and Disasters in Charleston
Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties were named in 17 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- September 27, 2024: Tropical storm (Berkeley County)Strong winds associated with Helene produced scattered trees down across the entire county. Berkeley County Emergency Management reported at least 4 homes with minor damage across the entire county.
- June 10, 2024: Hail, 2 inch hail (Berkeley County)The public reported 1.75 to 2.0 size hail causing damage to house siding near the intersection of Hermitage Lane and Discovery Drive.
- September 30, 2022: Flash flood (Charleston County)Local broadcast media reported that flood waters entered several homes on Shoreham Road. Also, a video shared via Twitter showed flood waters entering a detached garage structure at a home located at 1149 Landsdowne Drive.
- April 13, 2020: Thunderstorm wind, 105 mph gust (Dorchester County)A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team determined that straight line winds of around 105 mph snapped and uprooted many trees along and north of Campbell Road.
- September 11, 2017: Flash flood (Dorchester County)Dorchester County Emergency Management reported that water entered at least 31 homes due to flash flooding along Eagle Creek.
Federal disaster declarations
- January 23, 2026: Severe Winter StormWinter Storm, FEMA EM-3632
- September 29, 2024: Tropical Storm DebbyTropical Storm, FEMA DR-4835
- September 29, 2024: Hurricane HeleneHurricane, FEMA DR-4829
- September 26, 2024: Hurricane HeleneTropical Storm, FEMA EM-3619
- August 5, 2024: Hurricane DebbyTropical Storm, FEMA EM-3606
- August 31, 2023: Hurricane IdaliaHurricane, FEMA EM-3597
- November 21, 2022: Hurricane IanHurricane, FEMA DR-4677
- September 29, 2022: Hurricane IanHurricane, FEMA EM-3585
Charleston Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Charleston (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 77,417 housing units, a median build year of 1995, 34% built before 1980, 27% before 1970, 56% owner occupied.
South Carolina Insurance Rules for Water Claims
South Carolina lists failing to acknowledge claim communications with reasonable promptness as an improper claim practice (S.C. Code 38-59-20).
Claim problems in South Carolina go to the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Charleston flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Charleston
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Areas Served Around Charleston
The same 24/7 line covers the Charleston metro area, including:
- Charleston
- North Charleston
- Mount Pleasant
- Summerville
- Goose Creek
- Hanahan
Questions
When is the first freeze in Charleston?
The median first night at or below 32°F is December 30 and the median last is February 4 at the Charleston City station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, S.C. Code 38-59-20, EPA mold guide.