Hail history for Horry County, SC

Horry County has 346 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 221 of them 1″ or larger and 12 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on May 10, 2011.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 346 since 1956

1″ or larger 221 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 12 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · May 10, 2011

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Horry County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Horry County's peak: May.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 346 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 23, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 23, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
August 1, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 15, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 20, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 20, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 4, 2023	0.75″	Penny

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Horry County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

April 23, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail fell on Socastee Boulevard.

May 10, 2011 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

Hail to the size of softballs was reported at the Walmart shopping center. The report was relayed via the media.

May 10, 2011 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

Hail to the size of softballs damaged vehicles and homes near Highway 501. The hail covered the ground and lasted for 5 minutes.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	1	10	40	106	161	26

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Horry County

Has it ever hailed in Horry County?

Yes — 346 hail events have been recorded for Horry County, SC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1956, including 221 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Horry County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Horry County, SC is April 23, 2025, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Horry County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 10, 2011. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More South Carolina hail history

All 46 South Carolina counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.