2019 Hurricane Preparedness Week begins Sunday

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Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed May 26 through June 1 to be South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week. SCEMD, county emergency managers and the National Weather Service urge individuals, businesses and communities to begin preparations ahead of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Advanced preparation and planning safeguards lives, protects property and lessens the devastating impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes.

Hurricanes and tropical storms not only threaten the coast but all areas of South Carolina. Flooding from widespread, torrential rains is one of the most deadly and destructive hazards associated with tropical storms and hurricanes. High winds and tornadoes can cause severe damage to buildings and homes. All South Carolinians should take the time this week to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane by reviewing their family emergency plans, developing a disaster supply kit, reviewing insurance policies and talking with your family about what could happen during a disaster.

Each day SCEMD and local emergency managers will be highlighting ways residents can prepare for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Daily topics will include:

  • Sunday:           Know Your Zone, the Hurricane Guide and the SC Emergency Manager Mobile App
  • Monday:          Create Your Emergency Plan
  • Tuesday:         Build Your Emergency Kit
  • Wednesday:    Review Your Insurance Policy
  • Thursday:        Understanding Hurricane Hazards
  • Friday:             Prepare Your Pets
  • Saturday:        Official Start of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season

The S.C. Emergency Management Division is releasing the official 2019 South Carolina Hurricane Guide this weekend to kick off this year’s S.C. Hurricane Preparedness Week. SCEMD and partner agencies have updated the Guide for the 2019 hurricane season. It details useful information on what residents should do before, during and after the landfall of a major hurricane. It includes updated evacuation zone information for Charleston County and new information about a new weather service being provided by SCETV.

The 2019 S.C. Hurricane Guide will be released via newspaper subscription and rack sales Sunday, May 26, in The Beaufort Gazette, the Charleston Post and Courier, the Hilton Head Island Packet, The State, the Sumter Item, the Florence Morning News, the Orangeburg Times and Democrat, the Myrtle Beach Sun News; Thursday, May 23, in the Georgetown County Chronicle, Dillon Herald and the South Strand News; Friday, May 24, in the Georgetown Times; and Wednesday, May 29, in Bluffton Today, the Jasper County Sun Times and the Pee Dee Weekly.

Beginning June 1, the Hurricane Guide will be available at all South Carolina Welcome Centers, at any Walgreens store statewide and at SCDMV offices in Bamberg, Beaufort, Bluffton, Charleston, Conway, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Kingstree, Ladson, Lake City, Little River, Mullins, Moncks Corner, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, Saint George and Varnville.

The Guide will be available for download here.

In addition to the South Carolina Hurricane Guide, visit scemd.org to stay informed during an emergency. Our website is designed to make it easy to get the information you need before, during and after a major disaster, such as a hurricane. Download the South Carolina Emergency Manager mobile app as your official tool for emergency planning and follow the official @SCEMD accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected.