Update on Team SC Response and Recovery After Helene

October 1, 2024 As cleanup efforts remain in full effect and utility crews work diligently to restore power and deliver essential resources to the areas hit the hardest, state agencies are asking residents to be patient. “I know these are trying times for so many of our South Carolina families as…

2015 News Releases

State Lowers Emergency Status, Recovery Operations Expand (1) October 12, 2015 The South Carolina Emergency Response Team is transitioning to the state’s emergency operational status to level 3. OPCON 3 is the third lowest of five operational conditions and allows state agencies to continue…

Floods

In South Carolina, several variations of flood hazards occur due to the different effects of severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, seasonal rains and other weather-related conditions. The State's low-lying topography, combined with its humid subtropical climate, makes it highly vulnerable to inland or…

SBA Approves Gov. Henry McMaster’s Request for Disaster Assistance

April 20, 2022 Following Governor Henry McMaster’s April 15 request , the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that South Carolina’s businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and tornadoes on April 5-6 may apply for low interest disaster loans. To assist businesses and…

Winter Weather Begins in South Carolina

January 6, 2017 Governor Nikki Haley has declared a State of Emergency to mobilize additional state resources and the National Guard should they be needed in response to the impending hazardous weather. The Governor’s Executive Order activates the Emergency Operations Plan, directing all state…

Governor Declares State of Emergency

February 25, 2015 Governor Nikki Haley has declared a State of Emergency to mobilize additional state resources should they been needed in response to the impending hazardous weather. The Governor’s State of Emergency Executive Order activates the Emergency Operations Plan, directing all state…

South Carolina Tracking Hurricane Ian

September 26, 2022 South Carolina residents should continue to monitor Hurricane Ian as it approaches the southeast United States. As of Monday, forecasters believe Ian could bring tropical storm force winds, heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes to South Carolina at the end of the week. As a…

Total Eclipse Safety Tips

August 21, 2017 On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible along a thin, roughly 100 mile-wide path that runs diagonally across America from Oregon to South Carolina. Beginning around 2:38 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2017, viewers who have gathered in areas like Greenville, Columbia…

2022 News Releases

FEMA Aid now available for Hurricane Ian November 22, 2022 At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, the President has declared a disaster exists in South Carolina as a result of Hurricane Ian. Residents who suffered damage in Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties may now register for…

News Releases

The following links provide copies of previous news releases. 2021 Archives 2020 Archives 2019 Archives 2018 Archives 2017 Archives 2016 Archives 2015 Archives 2014 Archives 2013 Archives

Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week

March 2, 2018 March 4-10, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 2, 2018) — Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2018 will be observed March 4-10. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service jointly sponsor…

Register for CodeRed Emergency Alerts

May 14, 2017 Get emergency notifications from SCEMD by phone, text and email. Alert Types: Notifications will be sent out when a major disaster is imminent or has just occurred, at the request of county emergency managers and various emergency situations requiring you to take personal protective…

2017 Severe Weather & Flood Safety Week

March 8, 2017 South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2017 will be observed March 5 – 11. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the South Carolina Broadcasters Association jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe storms,…

South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week

February 28, 2014 South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2017 will be observed March 5 – 11. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the South Carolina Broadcasters Association jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe…

2015 Severe Weather Awareness Week

March 5, 2015 South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2017 will be observed March 5 – 11. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the South Carolina Broadcasters Association jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe storms,…

S.C. launches new site for business reentry certification

August 29, 2018 Columbia, S.C. – Businesses in South Carolina now have a new automated online tool to register for post-disaster reentry following evacuations for large-scale emergencies. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division launched the new site in collaboration with South Carolina…

SCEMD continues to assess damage from severe weather

April 15, 2020 Columbia, S.C. – Residents in areas affected by Monday’s storms should continue to use caution when traveling while crews continue cleaning up debris. Some roads remain impassable. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is assisting counties affected by severe weather,…

FEMA and South Carolina to Open Community Vaccination Center at Columbia Place Mall April 14

April 12, 2021 FEMA, partnering with the state of South Carolina, Richland County, and city of Columbia, is opening a Community Vaccination Center (CVC) site at the Columbia Place Mall. This site at 7201 Two Notch Road will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily beginning Wednesday, April 14. The…

2022 News Releases

April 7, 2022 Columbia, S.C. (Thursday, April 7, 2022) – The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and local emergency managers continue to assess damage in counties impacted by this week’s severe weather and tornados. No deaths have been reported as a result of these storms in South…

SCEMD launches Earthquake.SC

October 17, 2022 South Carolina residents now have a new tool to help them be better prepared for earthquakes. Today, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division launched Earthquake.SC , an interactive website designed to guide people through the fundamentals of earthquakes in the Palmetto…