South Carolina suffered two separate billion-dollar disasters in 2025 despite a relatively calm hurricane season, according to federal data that highlights the state’s vulnerability to extreme weather beyond coastal storms.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded 24 weather disasters nationwide with damages exceeding $1 billion each, including two that struck South Carolina with combined losses topping $2 billion.

A severe drought that gripped the Southeast from June through September caused $1.2 billion in agricultural losses across South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina. The dry conditions devastated cotton, soybean and corn crops while forcing ranchers to sell cattle early due to feed shortages.

A second disaster hit in March when a late-season ice storm swept through the Upstate, causing $800 million in damages from downed power lines, destroyed trees and property damage. More than 400,000 South Carolina residents lost electricity, some for over a week.

“These numbers show that disaster planning can’t focus solely on hurricanes,” said Dr. Robert Johnson, director of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. “We’re seeing more frequent and costly events from drought, ice storms and severe thunderstorms.”

Charleston County avoided the worst impacts of both disasters, though the drought reduced yields for area farmers and stressed the region’s water supply systems. The Charleston Water System implemented voluntary conservation measures in August as reservoir levels dropped to their lowest point since 2012.

The 2025 hurricane season produced only three named storms that made landfall along the South Carolina coast, all classified as tropical storms with minimal damage. Hurricane Debby brushed the Lowcountry in August but stayed far enough offshore to cause only minor flooding and power outages.

Still, Charleston officials used the quiet hurricane season to advance infrastructure projects designed to reduce flood risks. The city completed $15 million in drainage improvements downtown and began construction on two new pump stations in West Ashley.

“We can’t assume every year will be this calm,” said Charleston Mayor William Cogswell. “We’re using this window to strengthen our defenses.”

The drought proved more costly statewide than any single hurricane in recent years except Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which caused $1.6 billion in damages. Agricultural losses hit hardest in the Pee Dee region, where cotton farmers reported yields down 40% from normal levels.

South Carolina’s congressional delegation pressed federal officials to expedite disaster relief funding for affected farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved $180 million in emergency assistance for crop losses, though many producers said the aid covered only a fraction of their losses.

The ice storm in March caught forecasters and emergency officials off guard with its intensity and duration. Temperatures dropped below freezing for 72 consecutive hours in parts of the Upstate, creating ice accumulations up to two inches thick on power lines and tree branches.

Duke Energy and other utilities brought in crews from neighboring states to restore power, but the extent of the damage slowed repairs. Some rural areas in Pickens and Oconee counties remained without electricity for 10 days.

State insurance regulators reported $650 million in property damage claims from the ice storm, making it the costliest winter weather event in South Carolina history. The remaining $150 million in losses came from business interruptions, spoiled inventory and emergency response costs.

Climate scientists say South Carolina should expect more billion-dollar disasters as weather patterns become more extreme. The state has recorded 15 such events since 2010, compared to just three in the previous decade.

“The trend is unmistakable,” said Dr. Hope Mizzou, a climatologist at the University of South Carolina. “Higher temperatures increase drought risks while also creating conditions for more severe ice storms when cold fronts do arrive.”

Governor Henry McMaster signed legislation in November requiring state agencies to incorporate climate resilience into their planning processes. The measure passed with bipartisan support after lawmakers reviewed the mounting costs of weather disasters.

Charleston’s experience with politics and government responses to natural disasters influenced the statewide policy changes. City officials shared their flood mitigation strategies with other coastal communities and testified before legislative committees about effective emergency planning.

The legislation also establishes a $50 million disaster preparedness fund using surplus state revenues. Emergency management officials say the money will help communities invest in infrastructure improvements before disasters strike rather than simply rebuilding afterward.

Federal meteorologists predict a more active hurricane season for 2026, with water temperatures in the Atlantic remaining above normal levels. South Carolina emergency officials plan to conduct statewide evacuation drills in February to test readiness for multiple hurricane scenarios.

Charleston County will participate in the exercises while continuing work on long-term flood protection projects. The county received $25 million in federal grants to elevate roads in flood-prone areas and upgrade stormwater systems.

“We learned from 2025 that disasters come in many forms,” said Charleston County Emergency Management Director Kim Stenson. “Our preparations have to be just as diverse.”