As the calendar year quickly winds down, South Carolina's drought is not giving up, with now more than three-fourths of the state experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, about 78% of South Carolina is dealing with rainfall deficits, while roughly 44% of communities are officially in a drought.
The drought ranges from “moderate” to “severe,” which corresponds to Levels 1 and 2 on the U.S. Drought Monitor’s 0-through-5-tier scale.
At Level 1, the fire risk is said to increase and crops begin to show wear from the dry conditions. At Level 2, boating on some rivers and lakes becomes limited, while livestock and fish start to experience stress due to reduced water availability.
According to the latest drought map, the driest conditions are centered west of Interstate 95, with the most severe areas located near Rock Hill, just south of the North Carolina border, and the region located between Augusta and Charleston.
While the status is concerning for farmers and outdoor enthusiasts, the current situation is not as severe as what was experienced earlier in the year or during several historical episodes.
During the height of the spring firestorm that burned thousands of acres across the mid-Atlantic, every community in South Carolina was classified as “abnormally dry,” while 81% of the state was in an official drought.
Two of the largest wildfires during that period were the Covington Drive Complex in Horry County and the Table Rock Complex in the Upstate.
The Covington Drive blaze burned more than 2,000 acres near Myrtle Beach, while the Table Rock fire scorched nearly 16,000 acres outside Greenville.
Both fires were believed to have been human-caused, and despite widespread evacuations, local officials reported no fatalities or major damage.
Typically, South Carolina’s wildfire season runs from January through April, but forecasters warn that this year’s dry autumn could allow fires to persist well beyond the typical window.
Lower humidity levels, gusty winds and dry vegetation can quickly turn even a small spark into a fast-moving blaze, despite it being rather late in the year.
The National Weather Service offices throughout the state have highlighted the recent fire threats in forecast products such as their Hazardous Weather Outlooks and Special Weather Statements.
How the drought compares to historical events
While this year’s drought is eye-catching, it pales in comparison to some of the state’s worst events on record, including the historic 2001–2002 drought.
In August 2002, 100% of South Carolina was in a drought, with more than half the state categorized in “Exceptional Drought” - the most severe classification.
All 46 counties were declared a disaster area, paving the way for federal assistance and low-interest loans for farmers struggling with crop production.
Some communities even resorted to water restrictions as reservoirs, lakes, and river flows fell to low levels.
Before the 21st century, the drought of 1910–1911 was widely considered to be the most significant event in South Carolina’s history.
According to state climatologists, May 1911 averaged just 0.56 inches of rainfall statewide, with several weather observation sites reporting their lowest precipitation totals since the late 1700s.
Other notable droughts struck the state in the mid-1920s, the 1950s and in the 2010s.
Climatologists estimate that any given location in South Carolina can expect two or three moderate droughts per decade, with October, November and December often being the driest months.
