Hurricane Prep and Storm-Season Boat Storage in South Carolina

Of the 32 hurricanes NOAA records in South Carolina since 1851, 32 arrived in months our season rule marks as in the water at Columbia (Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct). At Charleston the count is 32 in months in the water. 5 have come since 2000 and 5 were Category 3 or stronger.

In NOAA's record, South Carolina impacts fall most often in September (13), August (10) and October (5). A boat at Columbia is in the water in all three by our season rule, and in the water in 5 of the 6 season months overall, so settle storage before June 1.

35 of 54 live South Carolina listings list enclosed indoor space; 34 list covered and 47 outdoor spaces. By city: Charleston (10; 6 enclosed), Campobello (7; 0 enclosed), Beaufort (5; 5 enclosed) and Mount Pleasant (5; 2 enclosed). The most enclosed listings are in Charleston (6) and Beaufort (5). None lists climate-controlled units. Listings span 19 cities. Prefer a wind-rated building outside the flood zone.

Move it at once. 35 South Carolina listings list enclosed space; book one before June. All of the 32 South Carolina hurricanes on record came in months a boat at Columbia is in the water by our rule, so expect to move it from use, not from storage. Charleston averages 7.0 inches in August, so check the site drains.

Listings span 19 South Carolina cities. The largest groups are Charleston (10 listed), Campobello (7 listed), Beaufort (5 listed), Mount Pleasant (5 listed) and Myrtle Beach (4 listed). For covered spaces, Charleston (6) and Beaufort (5) lead. Statewide, 47 list open lots, 34 covered parking and 35 enclosed space, so a boat owner can usually choose between shelter levels in the same city.