South Carolina's summer can be summed up in one word: 'hot, humid, and unpredictable'.

The sun pours down all day, but by afternoon, the sky can suddenly turn dark, and heavy rain begins to fall with thunder rumbling. For the locals, summer rain feels like a part of the season and a rhythm of nature. The summer rain in South Carolina is brief and intense, cooling the air while bringing another kind of energy. However, behind this gentle rain sometimes lurks the fury of nature, a storm known as a hurricane.

Summer in South Carolina officially begins in late May and lasts until September. Daytime temperatures can rise close to 35 degrees, and humidity often reaches 80%. So, in the afternoon, rain naturally falls like a squall. The locals refer to this rain as an 'afternoon shower'. There is a saying that "after a downpour in the afternoon, the evening becomes cooler", making summer rain not an unwelcome guest but rather a welcome one. When the sudden rain stops, the heat in the air eases, and the scent of trees and wet earth fills the city as it takes a breath.

However, as summer deepens, a more fearsome presence approaches than a simple shower. It is hurricane season. From June to November each year, tropical storms that form in the Atlantic gradually gain strength and head towards the South Carolina coast. This region is located roughly in the middle of the Atlantic coastline, making it frequently in the path of hurricanes. Coastal cities like Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head always spend their summers on edge.

A notable hurricane that struck South Carolina was Hugo in 1989. At that time, the hurricane brought category 4 winds and heavy rain, nearly devastating the Charleston area. The sea surged into the city, turning roads into rivers, and trees and power poles fell one after another. Even now, local elders say, "Life is divided into before and after Hurricane Hugo", indicating how deeply it remains in their memories. Since then, several hurricanes have swept through the area, including Matthew in 2016, Florence in 2018, and Dorian in 2019.

What is interesting about the locals is that despite these natural threats, they do not harbor only fear. When hurricane season arrives, South Carolinians calmly prepare. Supermarkets quickly run out of bottled water, batteries, and canned goods, windows are boarded up, and evacuation orders are issued for coastal areas. Yet, they do not lose their sense of humor. Many post on social media, "Hurricane party preparations complete!" along with pictures of generators and barbecue grills.

Charlestonians often say, when looking at the sky before a hurricane, "This is just the sea changing its mood". They are so accustomed to coexisting with the sea. Of course, recovery after a hurricane can be challenging, but residents come together to rebuild the city. In fact, even after Hurricane Dorian passed in 2019, the coastal roads and tourist areas were cleared within days, and people returned to their normal routines.

Hurricanes are fearsome, but in this region, they are accepted as another season. People look up at the sky every time summer rain falls, silently praying, "I hope it stays quiet this year". At the same time, they enjoy the coolness and peace that the rain brings. South Carolina after the rain is truly beautiful.