Gov. McMaster, SCEMD Host Hurricane Preparedness Tabletop Exercise

Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division hosted a tabletop exercise focused on hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery operations. Representatives from more than a dozen state, county, and federal agencies participated in the exercise.

The scenario was based on a Category 4 hurricane making direct landfall in South Carolina. While this scenario is possible, Team South Carolina emphasized its continued readiness to support local officials in the event of a real storm. The exercise was designed to identify gaps in planning, coordination, and capabilities as hurricane season begins.

"Team South Carolina has faced hurricanes before and consistently stepped up to support South Carolinians in the aftermath," Gov. McMaster said. "While we hope we do not have to put those capabilities to the test again soon, today's exercise helps our state identify potential challenges and ensures we are fully prepared to respond when needed."

“Planning and exercises like this tabletop are foundational to effective emergency management,” said Kim Stenson, Director of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. “They allow us to bring together local, state, and federal partners to test decision-making, strengthen coordination, and identify areas where we can improve before an actual emergency occurs.”

During the exercise, county emergency managers and state agency officials discussed logistics, potential protective actions such as evacuations and sheltering options, and assessed how different regions of the state would respond under hurricane conditions. Participants also reviewed available resources within each community to identify and address potential gaps before the start of peak hurricane season.

South Carolinians are encouraged to download the SC Emergency Manager app for access to a wide range of preparedness information, including the ability to find your hurricane evacuation zone. Residents can also download the 2026 South Carolina Hurricane Guide for additional preparedness tips and planning resources.