Governor McMaster, Emergency Officials Conduct Hurricane Preparedness Exercise

Gov. Henry McMaster, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), and members of the South Carolina Emergency Response Team (SERT) conducted the state’s annual hurricane tabletop exercise on June 5. The exercise emphasized collaboration among state, local, and federal agencies before, during, and after hurricanes.

“We can’t stop a hurricane from coming, but we can be prepared for it,” said Gov. McMaster.

Held annually, the tabletop exercise simulates a hurricane in South Carolina. Participants work through various modules and scenarios, discussing evacuation routes, sheltering options, response strategies, and recovery plans.

The exercise also highlighted the potential impact of hurricanes beyond the coast. Flooding and high winds can affect inland areas just as severely.

“A hurricane is not strictly a coastal event — it can impact the entire state of South Carolina,” said SCEMD Director Kim Stenson. “We’re certainly all in this together, and now is the time to get ready.”

SCEMD has several resources available to help people prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms, including the state’s online interactive hurricane guide at hurricane.sc.

The official 2025 South Carolina Hurricane Guide is available in English and Spanish at scemd.org.

For up-to-date resources, please visit scemd.org.