USA.com / South Carolina / Oconee County / Seneca, SC / 29679 / Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
29679 Zip Code Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in 29679 Zip Code is higher than South Carolina average and is lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in 29679 Zip Code is higher than South Carolina average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #26
| 29679 Zip Code | 1.30 |
| South Carolina | 0.49 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| 29679 Zip Code | 0.0000 |
| South Carolina | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #178
| 29679 Zip Code | 158.95 |
| South Carolina | 136.91 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 4,381 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of 29679 Zip Code were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 26 | Dense Fog: | 4 | Drought: | 57 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 353 | Hail: | 1,359 | Heat: | 16 | Heavy Snow: | 28 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 9 | Ice Storm: | 19 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 43 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,160 | Tropical Storm: | 10 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 43 | Winter Weather: | 30 |
| Other: | 224 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near 29679 Zip Code.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near 29679 Zip Code.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 16.9 | 1979-08-26 | 3.7 | 2 | 34.93 | -82.97 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 51 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near 29679 Zip Code.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 4.7 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°40'N / 83°06'W | 34°40'N / 82°58'W | 6.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Oconee |
| 9.1 | 2008-08-26 | 2 | 34°39'N / 82°48'W | 34°39'N / 82°48'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Pickens |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado damage path extended from northwest Anderson County, into extreme southern Pickens County, affecting the research area on the south side of the Clemson University campus. Damage was limited to downed trees and power lines. Numerous large trees were snapped off on a ridge very close to the Pickens, Anderson County line, where wind speeds were estimated at close to 120 mph, earning the tornado an EF2 rating. EPISODE NARRATIVE: The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay stalled just west of the Appalachians and slowly dissipated. A line of mini-supercells developed southeast of the low, resulting in several tornadoes over the Upstate and Northwest Piedmont of South Carolina during the afternoon hours of the 26th. A small amount of flash flooding also occurred, though the flooding was much worse in North Carolina. | |||||||||||
| 12.6 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°52'N / 82°59'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Oconee | |
| 13.0 | 1996-09-16 | 2 | 34°37'N / 82°48'W | 34°35'N / 82°42'W | 6.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 3.0M | 0 | Anderson |
| 15.0 | 1989-05-05 | 2 | 34°38'N / 83°14'W | 34°42'N / 83°12'W | 4.50 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Oconee |
| 15.5 | 1994-06-26 | 2 | 34°51'N / 83°02'W | 34°58'N / 82°56'W | 12.00 Miles | 900 Yards | 0 | 1 | 500K | 0 | Oconee |
| 15.8 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°48'N / 83°17'W | 34°57'N / 82°56'W | 22.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Oconee |
| 19.4 | 1989-05-05 | 2 | 34°33'N / 83°19'W | 34°38'N / 83°14'W | 6.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 15 | 2.5M | 0 | Stephens |
| 20.5 | 1973-11-21 | 2 | 34°34'N / 83°17'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stephens | |||
| 21.9 | 1974-04-08 | 3 | 34°25'N / 82°45'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Anderson | |
| 22.0 | 1998-01-07 | 2 | 34°48'N / 82°36'W | 34°50'N / 82°36'W | 1.50 Miles | 35 Yards | 0 | 4 | 3.0M | 0 | Pickens |
| Brief Description: A tornado developed from a fast moving severe thunderstorm that raced north out of eastern Georgia. The F2 tornado destroyed several houses and mobile homes and severely damaged many other homes and businesses. Damage was sustained to the south of the track of the tornado due to strong inflow into the storm. Damage from severe thunderstorm winds in the rear flank downdraft occurred north into Easley. A powerful winter storm brought flooding rain, high winds, and a tornado to the Upstate from the evening of the 7th into the early morning of the 8th. Rainfall between 4 and 7 inches during a 2-day period across the mountains and foothills resulted in significant flooding. Many roads and bridges were covered or washed out. A wash out in Pickens county resulted in one fatality. Thunderstorms raced north through the area adding to the deluge as well as creating or enhancing strong to damaging winds. An F2 tornado touched down near Easley. Meso-scale high winds behind the complex of thunderstorms moved across the northern half of Greenville county and blew down trees and power lines. Severe thunderstorm winds combined with strong gradient winds to down trees and power lines in York county as well. | |||||||||||
| 22.1 | 2009-04-10 | 2 | 34°25'N / 83°16'W | 34°27'N / 83°07'W | 10.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Franklin |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado damage path began near Farmers Academy Rd, about 0.5 mile south of highway 106. The tornado crossed Red Hill School Rd, where some outbuildings were destroyed and a couple of mobile homes received minor roof damage. As the tornado continued northeast, some frame homes on highway 106 received minor roof damage. The most significant damage occurred on Crumps Bridge Rd, where one large chicken house was completely destroyed, and several others received major damage. The tornado continued to move northeast, uprooting or snapping off numerous trees as it crossed highway 145 and Greater Hope Rd. From there, the tornado began to move in a more east/northeast direction, continuing to blow down trees as it moved roughly parallel to North Clarks Creek Rd. As the tornado crossed Hulsey Rd, roofs were blown off the wood frame addition to a mobile home and a barn. After the tornado crossed highway 17 and Pleasant Hill Circle, it continued to turn more to the right, traveling due east near the to Wilson Rd, where a mobile home was moved off its foundation, and the steel siding and some roofing material was blown off a building. The tornado continued to travel east, or even east/southeast, before lifting in the Gerrard Rd area. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Supercell thunderstorms moved into extreme northeast Georgia in the early evening hours. Tornadoes were spawned by the supercells. There was also quite a bit of large hail and straight-line wind damage. | |||||||||||
| 22.2 | 1973-11-21 | 2 | 34°29'N / 82°39'W | 0.30 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Anderson | |
| 22.7 | 1966-12-10 | 2 | 34°35'N / 83°20'W | 0.50 Mile | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Stephens | |
| 25.1 | 1970-04-02 | 2 | 34°18'N / 82°56'W | 34°21'N / 82°52'W | 5.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Hart |
| 25.3 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°45'N / 82°32'W | 34°46'N / 82°30'W | 2.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Anderson |
| 25.6 | 1980-04-13 | 2 | 34°23'N / 82°45'W | 34°34'N / 82°25'W | 22.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Anderson |
| 25.9 | 1973-03-31 | 2 | 34°46'N / 82°37'W | 34°52'N / 82°26'W | 12.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pickens |
| 26.2 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 34°24'N / 83°20'W | 34°25'N / 83°12'W | 7.80 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Franklin |
| 27.1 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°53'N / 82°47'W | 34°59'N / 82°23'W | 23.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pickens |
| 27.7 | 1970-04-09 | 2 | 34°18'N / 83°08'W | 34°19'N / 83°06'W | 2.30 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Franklin |
| 28.1 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°46'N / 82°30'W | 34°49'N / 82°27'W | 3.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville |
| 29.9 | 2004-09-16 | 2 | 34°17'N / 83°09'W | 34°17'N / 83°09'W | 2.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.1M | 0 | Franklin |
| Brief Description: This tornado moved north across the town of Franklin Springs, damaging or destroying numerous structures along its 3-mile path. The city government building and the fire and police stations incurred significant damage, as did approximately 25 residences. Several large chicken houses were also destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 31.2 | 1974-04-03 | 2 | 34°58'N / 83°23'W | 0.30 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Rabun | |
| 31.6 | 2004-09-16 | 2 | 34°17'N / 83°16'W | 34°20'N / 83°16'W | 5.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 1 | 1 | 75K | 0 | Franklin |
| Brief Description: This tornado touched down west of Franklin Springs, then moved north-northwest, damaging several homes, businesses, and vehicles as it tracked toward Carnesville. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down. A 38-year-old woman was killed when the vehicle she was driving was hit by a falling tree. A passenger in the vehicle received minor injuries. F38VE | |||||||||||
| 32.0 | 1980-04-13 | 2 | 34°34'N / 82°25'W | 34°43'N / 82°22'W | 10.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville |
| 32.1 | 1967-05-02 | 2 | 34°50'N / 82°25'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Greenville | |
| 32.9 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°30'N / 83°34'W | 34°36'N / 83°27'W | 8.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Habersham |
| 33.4 | 1979-03-23 | 2 | 34°51'N / 82°24'W | 0.10 Mile | 77 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville | |
| 33.6 | 2003-05-06 | 2 | 34°13'N / 83°06'W | 34°12'N / 83°02'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 12 | 200K | 0 | Elbert |
| Brief Description: This tornado moved from Madison County into northwest Elbert County and intensified, destroying or severely damaging several houses and mobile homes. A parked car was also flipped before the tornado lifted. | |||||||||||
| 33.9 | 1989-11-15 | 3 | 34°37'N / 83°36'W | 34°42'N / 83°30'W | 8.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Habersham |
| 34.7 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 35°09'N / 82°50'W | 35°12'N / 82°48'W | 4.30 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Transylvania |
| 34.8 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°26'N / 83°27'W | 34°21'N / 83°27'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
| 36.3 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°28'N / 83°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Habersham | |
| 36.5 | 1954-03-31 | 2 | 34°09'N / 83°04'W | 34°10'N / 82°56'W | 7.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 20 | 250K | 0 | Elbert |
| 37.2 | 1973-05-27 | 3 | 34°46'N / 82°26'W | 34°55'N / 82°13'W | 16.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 17 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenville |
| 37.6 | 1973-05-27 | 2 | 34°18'N / 82°31'W | 34°24'N / 82°21'W | 11.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Abbeville |
| 38.1 | 1952-02-29 | 2 | 34°22'N / 83°35'W | 34°22'N / 83°25'W | 9.40 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
| 39.7 | 1954-03-31 | 2 | 34°07'N / 83°14'W | 34°09'N / 83°04'W | 9.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Madison |
| 42.4 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°15'N / 83°33'W | 34°20'N / 83°30'W | 6.50 Miles | 160 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Banks |
| 42.9 | 2005-08-29 | 2 | 34°40'N / 83°42'W | 34°44'N / 83°43'W | 5.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3.0M | 0 | White |
| Brief Description: A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in cooperation with the White County Emergency Management Director and the White County Sheriff concluded that an F2 tornado had carved a five mile long path of destruction, roughly parallel to Georgia Highway 75, causing major destruction to the town of Helen. Extensive damage was reported to several business in downtown Helen, a Bavarian tourist town in the northeast Georgia mountains. The entire second floor was ripped off the Helen Econo Lodge by the tornado. A nearby chapel was completely destroyed. The roof of Hansel & Gretel's Candy Kitchen, the Alpine Village Shoppes, as well as that of a nearby barbecue company were all ripped off by the tornadic winds. A Circle K grocery store also suffered significant damage. Hundreds of trees were also down. One resident reported losing 200 trees just at his property. Georgia Highway 75 was completely blocked on both the north and south side of Helen from downed trees. Many power lines were also down in the area and power was out to much of the area for at least two days. | |||||||||||
| 43.9 | 1952-05-10 | 3 | 34°48'N / 82°15'W | 34°48'N / 82°08'W | 6.60 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Greenville |
| 45.2 | 1976-06-28 | 2 | 35°19'N / 83°10'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Jackson | |
| 45.7 | 1976-05-14 | 2 | 34°15'N / 83°34'W | 34°15'N / 83°33'W | 1.90 Miles | 160 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Jackson |
| 46.8 | 1973-03-31 | 4 | 34°05'N / 82°34'W | 34°15'N / 82°17'W | 19.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 7 | 30 | 2.5M | 0 | Abbeville |
| 47.0 | 2009-04-10 | 2 | 34°11'N / 82°28'W | 34°10'N / 82°21'W | 7.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 2 | 1.0M | 0K | Abbeville |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: NWS survey found an extensive area of damage in the city of Abbeville consistent with a strong EF2 tornado. The tornado began near the intersection of highway 71 and Rock Hill Rd before moving east/southeast through the city of Abbeville. The main areas affected in the city were Church Street, McGowan, Ave, Main St, and especially Secession Ave. The roofs were blown off about a half dozen frame homes in the city, while numerous mobile homes were heavily damaged or destroyed. A few other office buildings and businesses received major roof damage in this area. Numerous trees were snapped off or uprooted along the path. One tree fell through a home, injuring the man inside. Another man caught outside received head injuries from flying debris. The tornado lifted about a mile east/southeast of the city. The tornado was produced by a supercell embedded in a line of rapidly moving storms. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Supercell thunderstorms moved into the western upstate in the early evening hours. As the evening progressed, the supercells tended to evolve into a series of bow echoes. Tornadoes were spawned by the supercells and the resultant bow echoes. There was also quite a bit of large hail and straight-line wind damage in places as well. The most significant damage occurred in Greenwood and Abbeville Counties, though tornadoes also caused damage in parts of Anderson and Union Counties as well. | |||||||||||
| 47.9 | 1989-04-04 | 2 | 34°25'N / 83°46'W | 34°22'N / 83°40'W | 7.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hall |
| 48.4 | 1966-05-01 | 2 | 34°12'N / 83°34'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
| 49.0 | 1973-03-31 | 4 | 34°15'N / 82°17'W | 34°16'N / 82°15'W | 2.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Greenwood |
| 49.3 | 1956-04-06 | 2 | 34°08'N / 82°23'W | 34°12'N / 82°20'W | 5.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Abbeville |
| 49.7 | 2008-03-15 | 2 | 34°00'N / 82°43'W | 34°01'N / 82°36'W | 8.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0K | Elbert |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: NWS survey found a tornado damage track in far southern and southeast Elbert County. The tornado, which was spawned from a supercell, touched down southeast of Fortsonia near the intersection of River Rd and Flatwoods Rd. As the tornado tracked east along River Rd, damage was mainly confined to trees and power lines. The tornado began to take on a more east/southeast track near the intersection of River Rd and Balchin Rd, remaining just north of the Wilkes County line. Intensification occurred just west of highway 79 near its intersection with Cooter Creek Rd. The tornado continued to track east southeast, snapping or uprooting numerous trees between Cooter Creek Rd and the Broad River. Two homes received heavy roof damage consistent with EF2 intensity on Bramblett Circle along the Broad River. A boat dock was also lifted and tossed 25 feet in this area. The tornado continued to blow down trees before finally lifting in Bobby Brown State Park in the extreme southeast corner of the county. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several supercell thunderstorms affected the mountains and foothills of extreme northeast Georgia during the afternoon and early evening hours. Very large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes accompanied the storms. | |||||||||||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.