Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Charleston, SC

July 10, 2026Berkeley County, Charleston County, Dorchester County, South Carolina

NWS Charleston, SC issued this flash flood warning at Jul 10, 2026, 4:13 PM EDT for Berkeley County, Charleston County, Dorchester County, South Carolina. It was in force for 2 hr. 5 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
Jul 10, 2026, 4:13 PM EDT (20:13 UTC)
Expired
Jul 10, 2026, 6:35 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Charleston, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Berkeley County, SC, Charleston County, SC, Dorchester County, SC

The radar

The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 102 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:16 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 10, 4:15 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Se Charleston Airport, SCPublic reported that portions of the Tanger Outlet parking lot was flooded via social media.
Jul 10, 4:54 PM EDTRAIN 3.132 S Cainhoy, SCA home weather station along Smokerise Way has measured 3.13 inches of rain so far this afternoon.
Jul 10, 4:54 PM EDTRAIN 4.13 S Cainhoy, SCA home weather station along Bending Oak Loop has measured 4.10 inches of rain so far this afternoon.
Jul 10, 5:21 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD3 Ene Shadowmoss, SCBroadcast Media reported the intersection of Montague Avenue and Morningside Drive closed due to flooding.
Jul 10, 5:30 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nw North Charleston, SCBroadcast Media reported the intersection of Beaufort Avenue and Meeting Street closed 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 3 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 2 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, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 2 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2026-07-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 512 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2026-07-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 30 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
512 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-96 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1300 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
30 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
70 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

249 
WGUS52 KCHS 102013
FFWCHS
SCC015-019-035-110215-
/O.NEW.KCHS.FF.W.0005.260710T2013Z-260711T0215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston SC
413 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 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...
  Dorchester County in southeastern South Carolina...

* Until 1015 PM EDT Friday.

* At 413 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain
  have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
  shortly.

  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, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Daniel
  Island, I-26/I-526 Interchange, Downtown Charleston, West Ashley,
  Don Holt Bridge and Charleston Naval Complex.

The heaviest rain has fallen across an area from around North
Charleston, to Daniel Island, Cainhoy, and north Mount Pleasant. A
few rain gages have measured over 3 inches of rain in this area and
another round of heavy rain is moving back into these locations.
Impacted roadways include, but are not limited to, Interstate 26,
Interstate 526, Highway 41, and Highway 17.

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 3289 8014 3290 8014 3293 8012 3294 8008
      3295 8001 3295 7978 3292 7973 3289 7972
      3286 7974 3283 7984 3283 8008 3284 8012
      3287 8015

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

BSH
1 follow-up statement
043 
WGUS72 KCHS 102235
FFSCHS

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
635 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

SCC015-019-035-102245-
/O.CAN.KCHS.FF.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260711T0215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Berkeley SC-Charleston SC-Dorchester SC-
635 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR BERKELEY, CHARLESTON AND
DORCHESTER COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3289 8014 3290 8014 3293 8012 3294 8008
      3295 8001 3295 7978 3292 7973 3289 7972
      3286 7974 3283 7984 3283 8008 3284 8012
      3287 8015

$$

Black

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 Jul 10, 2:33 PM EDT, 1 hour 40 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Hot and humid conditions will continue through Saturday. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening, and again on Saturday. A few strong to severe storms will be possible, with damaging wind gusts being the primary threat.
  • 2) Rain chances and thunderstorm coverage expected to increase Sunday through Tuesday.
  • 3) Coastal flooding is possible with the evening high tide from Sunday through Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 10, 2:33 PM EDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston SC
233 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
All sections have been updated.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1) Hot and humid conditions will continue through Saturday.
  Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop
  this afternoon and evening, and again on Saturday. A few
  strong to severe storms will be possible, with damaging wind
  gusts being the primary threat.

- 2) Rain chances and thunderstorm coverage expected to
  increase Sunday through Tuesday.

- 3) Coastal flooding is possible with the evening high tide
  from Sunday through Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Hot and humid conditions will continue through
Saturday. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to
develop this afternoon and evening, and again on Saturday. A few
strong to severe storms will be possible, with damaging wind
gusts being the primary threat.

This afternoon and evening: Overall, the setup and conditions
are quite similar to Thursday. The modified 12z KCHS RAOB (using
98/73) MLCAPE on the order of 2,000-2,500 J/kg along with DCAPE
in the 1,000-1,200 J/kg range. The freezing level is a bit
lower than yesterday at ~15 kft and the -20C height is
essentially unchanged around 26.5 kft. We are once again going
to be dependent on surface heating and subtle gradients for
convective initiation, followed by boundary interactions and the
sea breeze. Surface winds are westerly, which will keep the sea
breeze more pinned and less progressive. Overall coverage
should be scattered at most, though locally higher where
boundary interactions help to drive multi-cell convection.
Damaging wind gusts will again be the primary threat, with some
potential for locally heavy rainfall as storm motion will be on
the order of 10-15 knots. Storms could begin to develop in the
early afternoon, but the potential will continue into the
evening after sunset depending on how boundaries evolve.
However, by the late evening convection should come to an end
and the rest of the overnight should be dry.

Saturday: Another very hot day with widespread highs into the
upper 90s (and a few triple digits) is expected. Dewpoints
inland of the coast should mix out a bit, potentially into the
upper 60s for much of the area and even a few mid 60s for
southeast GA. Once the sea breeze begins to move inland,
dewpoints will surge along with heat indices. It does appear
that the potential for heat indices of 108 or higher will become
increasingly confined to the coastal corridor.

Regarding thunderstorms, the coverage and environment looks
similar to the last few days. Moderate instability and high
DCAPE will yield an environment supportive of damaging wind
gusts in the strongest storms. Convection could start in the
early afternoon, but the sea breeze will be pinned closer to the
coast thanks to westerly surface flow. Once a few storms
develop and produce outflow boundaries, placement and strength
of storms will depend on the evolution of these boundaries.
Storms could continue through much of the evening until
dissipating and ending by midnight and thereafter.

KEY MESSAGE 2: Rain chances and thunderstorm coverage expected
to increase Sunday through Tuesday.

As noted in the previous discussion, will see a weak sfc low
pressure drift across Virginia/North Carolina before ejecting
into the Atlantic on Sunday. Meanwhile, it's attendant sfc cold
front is expected to gradually sag southeastward across the
region, resulting in increased chances for showers and
thunderstorms. While model consistency still remains rather
poor, there are a few models that develop another sfc low along
the front, moving it across our area Sunday night then pushing
offshore on Monday. If this were to happen, could certainly see
a bit more moisture pool across us, and thus result in more rain
- something to keep an eye on in the coming shifts. In terms of
severe weather, there will still be ample instability
(1500-2000 J/kg) to work with despite having cooler afternoon
highs. So, like days past, can't rule out seeing a few isolated
strong to severe thunderstorms, capable of producing damaging
winds, small hail, and frequent lightning. With astronomical
high tide of 6.44 ft MLLW occurring shortly after 7 PM, any
thunderstorm activity near the Charleston peninsula will also
lead to increased chances for impactful flooding.

Expect the aforementioned cold front to meander south of the
region heading into the new week, keeping periodic chances for
rainfall in the forecast through Tuesday. Afternoon highs during
this time should also be notably cooler, as temperatures only
rise into the upper 80s to low 90s. Unfortunately, this will be
short lived, as a building ridge causes highs to moderate back
into the low to mid 90s by the end of the week.

KEY MESSAGE 3: Coastal flooding is possible with the evening
high tide from Sunday through Wednesday.

Astronomical influences on tides will increase early next week,
with a lunar perigee on Monday and a New Moon on Tuesday. Minor
coastal flooding is possible across Charleston and coastal
Colleton Counties Sunday evening. Coastal flooding may increase
Monday through Wednesday with rising astro tides and onshore
winds. In addition, rainfall may overlap with the evening high
tide cycles, see Key Message 2 for additional details.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
The 18z TAF period begins with VFR conditions at KCHS, KJZI,
and KSAV. The main concern for the next 6-8 hours is the
potential for thunderstorms. Current thinking is that the best
chance of thunderstorm impacts will be at KCHS and KJZI based on
current shower and thunderstorm development and the look of the
cumulus field on satellite. Thunderstorms could be an issue
around KCHS and KJZI through about 00z. Brief MVFR or IFR
conditions will be possible, mainly due to visibility reductions
in moderate to heavy rain. Gusty winds will also be possible.
KSAV could also have some thunderstorm concerns, but we will
wait to see how storms evolve over the next few hours and handle
with amendments. Thunderstorm activity should dissipate by the
late evening hours and the rest of the overnight should be
quiet. Another round of storms will be possible Saturday, but
the best chances will be beyond the 18z TAF period.

Extended Aviation Outlook: Shower and thunderstorm coverage,
along with risks of associated restrictions, may increase Sunday
through Tuesday.

&&

.MARINE...
Through tonight: Much like the last couple of days, winds will
strengthen this afternoon with the onset of the sea breeze. This
will primarily impact the SC waters and Charleston Harbor,
where gusts into the 25-30 knot range are expected through the
evening. Therefore, a Small Craft Advisory has been issued for
Charleston Harbor through 10 pm and for the Charleston County
waters through 2 am. Winds will remain elevated through the
overnight, but should diminish enough to allow these advisories
to end. Seas will mostly average 2-4 feet, but could be up to 5
ft in the Charleston County waters near the 20 nm line. Also,
thunderstorms are expected to develop inland along the coast.
These storms could move out into the coastal waters and produce
frequent lightning and strong wind gusts this evening.

Saturday through Saturday night: Another round of elevated
southwest flow, with enhancement in the afternoon and evening
with the sea breeze. Winds should peak in the 15-20 knot range,
with some 25 knot gusts possible in the SC waters. Conditions
could become marginally supportive of a Small Craft Advisory in
the Charleston County waters and possibly even Charleston
Harbor. Seas should average 2-4 feet. Thunderstorms are again
expected to develop inland in the afternoon and evening hours.
These storms could impact the coast and the coastal waters
through the evening with frequent lightning and strong wind
gusts.

Sunday through Wednesday: A weak cold front to our north will
slowly sag across the region Sunday into Monday, causing winds
to become notably weaker. While winds look to start out westerly
Sunday, should see direction gradually turn more
north/northeasterly by early Monday morning. This trend is
expected to continue for much of the upcoming week, with seas
generally ranging from 2 to 3 ft.

Rip Currents: A moderate risk for rip currents will remain
along the SC/GA coast Saturday. Conditions will feature 2-3 ft
swell with wave periods up to 9 seconds. In addition, SSW winds
will likely generate a moderate longshore current, possibly
supporting rip currents near piers and jetties.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Record High Temperatures:

July 10:
KCHS: 100/1986
KCXM: 99/1986
KSAV: 102/1879

July 11:
KCHS: 102/1986
KCXM: 100/2001
KSAV: 103/1980

Record High Minimum Temperatures:

July 10:
KCHS: 81/1986
KCXM: 82/1986

July 11:
KCHS: 80/2016
KCXM: 82/2016

July 12:
KCHS: 79/2020

&&

.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for GAZ217>219-239-
     241.
     Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 7 PM EDT Saturday for GAZ217>219-
     239-241.
SC...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for SCZ044-045-148-
     149-151.
     Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 7 PM EDT Saturday for SCZ045-
     148>152.
     Extreme Heat Warning until 7 PM EDT this evening for SCZ150-
     152.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for AMZ340.
     Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Saturday for AMZ360.

&&

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 10, 1:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
156 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

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

0135 PM     Extreme Heat     Charleston Executive Ai 32.70N  80.01W
07/10/2026  M113.0 F         Charleston         SC   AWOS

            Heat index of 113 degrees at Charleston Executive
            Airport (KJZI).

&&

Event Number CHS2600658

BSH
Special weather statement, Jul 10, 2:57 PM EDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
257 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

SCZ044-045-150-152-101930-
Charleston SC-Dorchester SC-Tidal Berkeley SC-Inland Berkeley SC-
257 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CHARLESTON...BERKELEY AND
DORCHESTER COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM EDT...

At 257 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Charleston Airport, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

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

This includes the following highways...
I-26 between mile markers 207 and 221. I-526 between mile markers 12
and 31.

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 8018 3296 8017 3304 7971 3299 7968
      3288 7966 3278 7978
TIME...MOT...LOC 1857Z 269DEG 25KT 3289 8005

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH

Black
Local storm report, Jul 10, 3:03 PM EDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
303 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

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

0300 PM     Hail             1 ESE Charleston Airpor 32.89N  80.03W
07/10/2026  M0.50 inch       Charleston         SC   Official NWS Obs

            Hail up to half an inch in diamter currently falling at
            NWS Charleston.

&&

Event Number CHS2600659

BSH
Special weather statement, Jul 10, 3:20 PM EDT, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
320 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

SCZ150-101945-
Charleston SC-
320 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CHARLESTON COUNTY UNTIL 345 PM
EDT...

At 320 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
McClellanville, moving east at 20 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...
  McClellanville, Awendaw, Lighthouse Island, Cape Romain, Tibwin and
  Buck Hall.

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 3303 7966 3314 7959 3316 7955 3314 7953
      3317 7951 3314 7937 3307 7935 3303 7936
      3299 7940 3300 7954
TIME...MOT...LOC 1919Z 284DEG 18KT 3308 7952

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

Black
Local storm report, Jul 10, 4:06 PM EDT, 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
406 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

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

0404 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Charleston Airport      32.90N  80.04W
07/10/2026  M40 mph          Charleston         SC   ASOS

            A 40 mph wind gust at the Charleston International
            Airport (KCHS).

&&

Event Number CHS2600660

BSH
Local storm report, Jul 10, 4:07 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
407 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026

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

0240 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 SSE Summerville       32.99N  80.17W
07/10/2026                   Dorchester         SC   Emergency Mngr

            Emergency Manager reported a tree on vehicle on the 800
            block of Miles Jamison Road.

&&

Event Number CHS2600661

ACD

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 9, 8:46 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS59 min
Jul 10, 2:16 PM EDTHeat AdvisoryCHSBeaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Jasper29 hr
Jul 10, 2:21 PM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryCHS6 hr
Jul 10, 2:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSCharleston33 min
Jul 10, 3:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBerkeley, Charleston25 min
Jul 10, 3:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSGeorgetown25 min
Jul 10, 3:33 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS57 min
Jul 10, 3:43 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCHSBerkeley, Charleston, Dorchester3 hr
Jul 10, 6:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSCharleston, Colleton22 min
Jul 10, 6:24 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCHSCharleston65 min
Jul 10, 6:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBerkeley, Dorchester45 min
Jul 10, 6:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSBamberg28 min
Jul 10, 6:44 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCHSCharleston45 min
Jul 10, 6:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSColleton, Dorchester33 min
Jul 10, 7:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSBerkeley34 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in South Carolina, 2026Every 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.