SC Officials Encourage Earthquake Preparedness

Columbia, S.C. – After an active weekend of earthquakes in South Carolina, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) is urging residents to take steps to prepare as the state continues to experience regular seismic activity.

With many fault lines running throughout the state, the risk of earthquakes is greater than many people realize. According to geologists at the College of Charleston, the state records between 10 and 20 earthquakes each year, most often in the Lowcountry region, though quakes can and do happen across the state.

“Earthquakes can happen anywhere in South Carolina, and they often occur without warning,” said SCEMD Director Kim Stenson. “There are many fault lines under our feet, and we want every household to be informed, prepared, and resilient before the next event.”

The South Carolina Department of Insurance encourages people to protect themselves from the potentially devastating effects of an earthquake by obtaining earthquake insurance coverage. Typically, standard homeowners policies do not cover earthquake damage; however, consumers can purchase earthquake coverage as an endorsement to their existing homeowners policies or as a stand-alone policy.  Since earthquakes can cause extensive structural damage, having this coverage ensures you’re not left facing major expenses alone. If you need assistance with acquiring earthquake coverage, contact the Office of Consumer Services at 803-737-6180. They can connect you with insurance agents in your area.

To help South Carolinians get ready and stay ready, SCEMD has published the South Carolina Earthquake Guide, a free resource that covers how to prepare your home, create an emergency plan, and stay safe during and after a quake.

The guide and other preparedness tools are available at scemd.org, along with Earthquake.SC, a website dedicated to South Carolina’s seismic history and safety information.

“Preparedness is key. Taking a few simple steps today can make a big difference when an earthquake happens,” Stenson said.

The SC Emergency Manager mobile app includes an earthquake map and allows users to sign up for alerts when seismic activity occurs. The app is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.