Disaster Recovery Center Opening in York County

October 30, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center will open in York County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. York County York County Library 138 E. Black St. Rock Hill, SC 29730 Open Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov 1-2, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov. 4-6, 9:30…

Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Barnwell County

November 3, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Barnwell County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Barnwell County Barnwell Regional Airport 155 State Road S-6-398 Barnwell, SC 29812 Open Nov. 4-7, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Additional Disaster Recovery…

Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Bamberg County

November 4, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Bamberg County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Bamberg County Bamberg County Library 3156 E. Railroad Ave. Bamberg, SC 29003 Open Nov. 5-11, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Additional Disaster Recovery…

Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Saluda County

November 6, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Saluda County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Saluda County County Administration Building 407 W. Butler Ave. Saluda, SC 29138 Open Nov. 7-10 and Nov. 12-13, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 11, 8…

Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Pickens County

November 7, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Pickens County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Pickens County Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library 304 Biltmore Road Easley, SC 29640 Open Nov. 8- 9, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Nov. 10, 10 a.m.- 6…

Pet Planning

Our pets are important members of our families. Just like all members of a family, it is important to include them in our disaster preparation plans. The likelihood of a pet surviving a disaster depends largely on the planning done before a disaster occurs. The following steps will help to ensure…

Military and Emergency Managers Collaborate on Disaster Preparedness

May 22, 2025 Military representatives from across South Carolina met Thursday with state and county emergency managers for a disaster preparedness seminar hosted by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. Participants discussed best practices and lessons learned from exercises and past…

2017 News Releases

The Great ShakeOut & Earthquake Preparedness Week October 18, 2017 South Carolina Earthquake Preparedness Week for 2017 will be October 15-21. A highlight of the week will be the Great Southeast ShakeOUT earthquake safety drill. You can sign up for the Great ShakeOUT now. Read More About The Great…

Less Than Two Weeks Remain to Apply for Disaster Assistance

June 17, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina homeowners, renters and businesses who had property damage or loss caused related to the April 13 storms have less than two weeks left to register and apply for federal disaster assistance. The deadline to register for assistance from FEMA and to apply…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 10-16, 2019

March 7, 2019 COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 7, 2019) — Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2019 will be observed March 10-16. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service jointly sponsor the week to remind…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 8-14, 2020

March 6, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 6, 2020) — Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2020 will be observed March 8-14. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service jointly sponsor the week to remind…

Business & Industry COVID-19 Webinar

August 12, 2021 In partnership with South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the South Carolina Department of Commerce will be hosting a COVID-19 webinar for business and industry on August 18 th at 11 a.m. This will be an informative webinar where the SCDHEC will update the…

SCEMD and Military Installations Join Forces During Disaster Seminar

February 6, 2024 Military representatives across South Carolina met with state and county emergency managers for a disaster preparedness seminar hosted by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. During the seminar on Tuesday, participants discussed the best practices and lessons learned…

President Declares Disaster for State of South Carolina and 13 Counties

October 11, 2016 In response to Governor Nikki Haley’s request, President Barack Obama declared a major disaster exists in the State of South Carolina and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in 13 counties most severely affected by Hurricane Matthew. The Federal…

Staff

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE Kim Stenson, Director ( bio ) Steven Batson, Chief of Staff Betsy Polk, Legal Counsel Jane Polk, HR Liaison/Administrative Assistant PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Tiffanie Barrett, Chief of Public Information & External Affairs Bridget Frame, Public Information…

Gov. Henry McMaster Requests Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Ian

November 1, 2022 Governor Henry McMaster today requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration to assist state and local recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian. This request comes after extensive damage assessments conducted by local officials, recovery staff with the South Carolina Emergency…

SCEMD Monitors Hurricane Arthur

July 1, 2014 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division continues to follow the latest information on Hurricane Arthur. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center have issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Horry and Georgetown Counties. The storm's direct impacts to the state are expected to…

Governor Nikki Haley Urges Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Matthew

October 4, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. - Governor Nikki Haley today issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency and asked residents to prepare for a potential evacuation of the South Carolina coast in advance of any impact from Hurricane Matthew. As state officials continue to monitor weather…

Governor Declares State of Emergency (1)

September 8, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Saturday, September 8, 1:30 p.m.) – Governor Henry McMaster today issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency and, along with the S.C. Emergency Management Division, has urged South Carolinians to prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Florence…

Prepare for Possible Winter Weather

January 13, 2022 Residents in the Upstate and Midlands regions of South Carolina should monitor local weather conditions and continue winter safety precautions ahead of potential winter weather this weekend. Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict the possibility of a wintry mix of…