Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 15, NWS Charleston, SC

August 22, 2026Berkeley County, Charleston County, South Carolina

NWS Charleston, SC issued this flash flood warning at Aug 22, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT for Berkeley County, Charleston County, South Carolina. It was in force for 3 hr. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Aug 22, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT (22:30 UTC)
Expired: Aug 22, 2026, 9:30 PM EDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Charleston, SC
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Berkeley County, SC, Charleston County, SC

The radar

The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:29 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Aug 22, 7:23 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Charleston, SC	City of Charleston reported all lanes closed on Rutledge Avenue between Calhoun Street and Bull Street due to flooding.
Aug 22, 7:24 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Charleston, SC	City of Charleston reported all lanes closed on Vanderhorst Street between Rutledge Avenue and Smith Street and Ogier Street between Calhoun Street and Vanderhorst Street due to flooding.
Aug 22, 7:38 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Charleston, SC	A City of Charleston inundation sensor at the intersection of Ogier Street and Calhoun Street measured a peak inundation of 0.72 feet. Flash flooding typically begins at this location when the inundation depth reaches 0.40 feet.
Aug 22, 7:39 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Charleston, SC	City of Charleston reported all lanes closed on Ashley Avenue between Calhoun Street and Bull Street due to flooding.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 4 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 53 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 10 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 926 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -56 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 728 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 8 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -10 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 0 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

375 
WGUS52 KCHS 222230
FFWCHS
SCC015-019-230130-
/O.NEW.KCHS.FF.W.0015.260822T2230Z-260823T0130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston SC
630 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Berkeley County in southeastern South Carolina...
  Charleston County in southeastern South Carolina...

* Until 930 PM EDT.

* At 630 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms with
  torrential rain beginning to move across much of the City of
  Charleston and portions of Mount Pleasant. These storms have a
  history of producing flash flooding. A quick 1 to 3 inches of rain
  could fall through 930 PM, resulting in urban and flash flooding.
  Some road closures could occur, especially in Downtown Charleston.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Downtown Charleston, West Ashley,
  Daniel Island, James Island, Johns Island, Charles Towne Landing,
  Charleston Naval Complex and Maybank Bridge.

This includes the following highways...
I-26 between mile markers 215 and 221. I-526 between mile markers 11
and 17...and between mile markers 23 and 28.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Report flooding directly to the Charleston National Weather Service
at 1-888-383-2024 or email your reports to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3276 7995 3273 8007 3285 8013 3288 8000
      3291 7990 3279 7985

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1.5-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

ST

2 follow-up statements

170 
WGUS72 KCHS 222346
FFSCHS

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
746 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

SCC015-019-230130-
/O.CON.KCHS.FF.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260823T0130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Berkeley SC-Charleston SC-
746 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR BERKELEY AND CHARLESTON COUNTIES...

At 746 PM EDT, Doppler radar showed the first batch of showers and
thunderstorms have moved out of the Downtown Charleston area. These
storms dropped between 1 and 2 inches of rain across the peninsula
resulting in some flash flooding. City officials report some roads
are flooded and closed. Additional showers and thunderstorms could
move into the warning area through 930 PM, possibly resulting in more
flash flooding.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Downtown Charleston, West Ashley,
  Daniel Island, James Island, Johns Island, Charles Towne Landing,
  Charleston Naval Complex and Maybank Bridge.

This includes the following highways...
I-26 between mile markers 215 and 221. I-526 between mile markers 11
and 17...and between mile markers 23 and 28.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Report flooding directly to the Charleston National Weather Service
at 1-888-383-2024 or email your reports to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3276 7995 3273 8007 3285 8013 3288 8000
      3291 7990 3279 7985

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

ST

721 
WGUS72 KCHS 230125
FFSCHS

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
925 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

SCC015-019-230135-
/O.EXP.KCHS.FF.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260823T0130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Berkeley SC-Charleston SC-
925 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
BERKELEY AND CHARLESTON COUNTIES...

Conditions will continue to improve across Downtown Charleston and
surrounding areas. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3276 7995 3273 8007 3285 8013 3288 8000
      3291 7990 3279 7985

$$

ST

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 22, 2:27 PM EDT, 4 hours 3 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

1) Locally heavy rainfall is possible today with showers and storms.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 22, 2:27 PM EDT, 4 hours 3 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston SC
227 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
All sections updated.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1) Locally heavy rainfall is possible today with showers and
  storms.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Locally heavy rainfall is possible today with showers
and storms.

A large mid level trough, centered over the Great Lakes, will
dominate over the eastern CONUS today.. WPC surface analysis
from 15Z shows a weak front draped across the SC Midlands. This
front will be the main forcing behind showers and storms this
afternoon as it slowly moves towards the SC Lowcountry and SE
Georgia. While a strong storm cannot be ruled out, the main
hazard this afternoon will be heavy rainfall as PWATs are
analyzed around 1.9 to 2.0". The 12Z guidance depicts the bulk
of the precipitation developing around 22/23Z this evening,
generally along and east of I-95. The 12Z HREF shows
probabilities of 1 inch or greater east of I-95 around 50-70%.
Shower and storm activity is forecast to wind down by 9 PM.

Sunday Onward: The aforementioned upper trough will finally move
far enough east to usher in some drier air into the area by
Sunday into Monday. With drier air in place and the surface
boundary pushed offshore, rain chances should remain low through
Monday. However, moisture should begin to recover starting
Tuesday and into the middle of the week with a return to more
typical summertime pattern setting up.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
A TEMPO group has been introduced at KCHS/KJZI/KSAV to reflect
the threat for TSRA this afternoon. Thereafter, prevailing VFR
through the remainder of the 18Z TAFs.

Extended Aviation Outlook: Prevailing VFR.

&&

.MARINE...
Today through Thursday: Marine conditions are expected to remain
below Small Craft Advisory criteria through the period. A fairly
typical summertime pattern on tap. Generally expect south to
southwest winds averaging in the 10-15 knot range with gusts to 20
kt at times and seas 2 to 3 feet. Any showers or thunderstorms that
move over the waters have the potential to bring higher wind gusts
and frequent lightning.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Record High Minimum Temperatures:

August 24:
KCHS: 76/2010
KCXM: 80/1975

August 25:
KCHS: 77/1982

August 27:
KCHS: 78/2011

August 28:
KCHS: 77/2020

&&

.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 22, 4:29 PM EDT, 2 hours 1 minute before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
429 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

SCZ043-044-222100-
Dorchester SC-Inland Colleton SC-
429 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT COLLETON AND DORCHESTER
COUNTIES UNTIL 5 PM EDT...

At 429 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms extending from near Canadys to over Givhans Ferry State
Park, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
  Colleton, Williams, Canadys, Givhans Ferry State Park, Givhans,
  Ridgeville, Dorchester, Saint George and Harleyville.

This includes I-95 in South Carolina between mile markers 60 and 76.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV or your local news
source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms. Do not drive
your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3298 8041 3300 8055 3295 8069 3302 8092
      3325 8048 3309 8026 3296 8027
TIME...MOT...LOC 2028Z 241DEG 14KT 3307 8068 3309 8043 3302 8038

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

ST

Special weather statement, Aug 22, 4:34 PM EDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
434 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

SCZ045-222100-
Inland Berkeley SC-
434 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT BERKELEY COUNTY UNTIL 5 PM
EDT...

At 434 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Moncks Corner, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
  Moncks Corner, Bonneau, Old Santee Canal State Park, Pinopolis,
  Southern Lake Moultrie, Bonneau Beach, Stony Landing, Simpson
  Crossing, Wampee and Berkeley County Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV or your local news
source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.

Boaters on Lake Moultrie should seek safe harbor immediately. If
caught on the open water, stay as low as possible and wear a personal
flotation device. Remember, if you can hear thunder you are at risk
for being struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3309 8021 3327 8024 3336 7980 3314 7975
TIME...MOT...LOC 2034Z 258DEG 17KT 3321 8001

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH

CPM

Special weather statement, Aug 22, 5:25 PM EDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
525 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

GAZ087-088-222200-
Jenkins GA-Screven GA-
525 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SCREVEN AND JENKINS COUNTIES
UNTIL 6 PM EDT...

At 525 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Millen, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
  Millen, Butts, Rocky Ford, Scarboro, Emmalane, Woodcliff, Herndon,
  Jenkins County Hospital, Lincoln State Park and Parkers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV or your local news
source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3282 8215 3292 8178 3291 8177 3292 8176
      3265 8167 3265 8206 3266 8208 3281 8215
TIME...MOT...LOC 2125Z 267DEG 16KT 3277 8195

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH

CPM

Local storm report, Aug 22, 5:50 PM EDT, 40 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
550 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0547 PM     Flash Flood      2 SSW Goose Creek       32.95N  80.05W
08/22/2026                   Charleston         SC   Emergency Mngr

            North Charleston Emergency Management reported
            Greenridge Road at St. Ives Road is flooded and closed.
            One car is stalled in flood waters.

&&

Event Number CHS2601148

Special weather statement, Aug 22, 6:01 PM EDT, 29 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
601 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

SCZ044-045-150-152-222230-
Dorchester SC-Tidal Berkeley SC-Charleston SC-Inland Berkeley SC-
601 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CHARLESTON...BERKELEY AND
DORCHESTER COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM EDT...

At 601 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Magnolia Gardens, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
  North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek,
  Hanahan, I-26/I-526 Interchange, Ladson, Naval Weapons Station
  Charleston, West Ashley and Daniel Island.

This includes the following highways...
I-26 between mile markers 201 and 221. I-526 between mile markers 12
and 25.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV or your local news
source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3281 8026 3301 8025 3309 7995 3280 7990
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 271DEG 11KT 3291 8015

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH

CPM

Special weather statement, Aug 22, 6:17 PM EDT, 13 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
617 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

GAZ088-099-100-222245-
Candler GA-Bulloch GA-Screven GA-
617 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CANDLER...BULLOCH AND SCREVEN
COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM EDT...

At 617 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Portal, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
  Statesboro, Brooklet, Portal, Hopeulikit, Dover, Union,
  Middleground, Hunters Pointe, Georgian Walk and Mallards Pond.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV or your local news
source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3249 8214 3253 8213 3256 8208 3254 8203
      3256 8203 3261 8200 3264 8186 3265 8160
      3239 8164
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 276DEG 19KT 3257 8189

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH

CPM

The office that day

Everything else NWS Charleston, SC issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 21, 9:42 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	CHS		85 min
Aug 22, 5:02 AM EDT	Special Marine Warning	CHS		36 min
Aug 22, 4:00 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CHS	Berkeley	45 min
Aug 22, 4:29 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CHS	Dorchester	31 min
Aug 22, 4:34 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CHS	Berkeley	26 min
Aug 22, 5:06 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CHS	Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester	114 min
Aug 22, 5:17 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CHS	Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester	13 min
Aug 22, 5:24 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	CHS	Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester	5 hr
Aug 22, 6:01 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CHS	Charleston	29 min
Aug 22, 6:21 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	CHS		114 min
Aug 22, 7:13 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CHS	Hampton	32 min
Aug 22, 7:58 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	CHS	Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester	2 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in South Carolina, 2026 Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.