Gov. Henry McMaster Orders Mandatory Evacuations for Coastal Counties Effective Tomorrow, September 11 at Noon

September 10, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster, in coordination with local officials, has issued Executive Order 2018-29, which orders the evacuation of coastal South Carolina residents for their personal safety as Hurricane Florence approaches. Residents in all hurricane evacuation…

2020 Hurricane Season: Time, Space, People, Place

May 28, 2020 Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed May 31 through June 6 to be South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week. Residents, businesses and communities in South Carolina should begin preparations for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Advanced preparation and planning…

Midlands Earthquake Swarm Longest in Recent History

June 30, 2022 Geologists studying the ongoing swarm of earthquakes in Kershaw County believe this may be the longest period of successive earthquake activity in the state’s recorded history. An earthquake swarm is a sequence of seismic events occurring in a local area within a relatively short…

Gov. Henry McMaster Announces Team South Carolina County Day in Greenwood

October 17, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette today announced that state and federal officials and representatives from nonprofits will hold an additional Team South Carolina County Day in Greenwood on Tuesday, October 22. Team South Carolina County Days provide…

Dam Failure

South Carolina has relatively few natural ponds and lakes. Virtually all ponds and lakes in the state were created by the construction of a dam. There are estimates of over 10,000 man-made dams in South Carolina, but the actual number may be as high as 50,000. The vast majority of dams are below…

Dangerous Storm Forecasted for South Carolina

February 10, 2014 Columbia, S.C. (Monday, February 10, 3:30 P.M.) - The South Carolina Emergency Management Division asks residents to prepare themselves and their homes for winter weather that is expected to be dangerous. The National Weather Service says the forecast for this week calls for snow…

Winter Weather Preparedness Week

December 4, 2016 TAKE STEPS NOW TO PREPARE FOR THE WINTER SEASON Governor Nikki Haley has proclaimed the week of December 4 through December 10, 2016, as South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service along with…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Beaufort And Colleton Counties To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

November 2, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center is now open in Walterboro to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew, the Colleton County center will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Another disaster recovery center will open tomorrow,…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Berkeley And Georgetown Counties To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

November 1, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Disaster recovery centers are now open in Georgetown and St. Stephen to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Berkeley and Georgetown County centers will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the…

Disaster Recovery Center To Open In Horry County To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

October 27, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center will open tomorrow, October 28, in Myrtle Beach to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Horry County center will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the South Carolina…

Gov. Nikki Haley To Host Team South Carolina Pee Dee Day

October 21, 2016 State and federal officials, non-profits will offer residents disaster relief assistance COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Nikki Haley will visit Marion on Friday, October 28, for a Team South Carolina Hurricane Matthew relief event. Team South Carolina Pee Dee Day will serve residents…

Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Marion County To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

October 21, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center will open tomorrow, Saturday, October 22, in Mullins to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Marion County center will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the South…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Orangeburg County To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

October 20, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two disaster recovery centers are open in Orangeburg and Holly Hill to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Orangeburg county centers will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the South Carolina…

Public And Individual Assistance For Storm Damage, Response Costs Approved For Additional Counties

October 20, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved four additional counties for Individual Assistance, allowing survivors who sustained losses to apply for aid in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Counties approved for FEMA Individual Assistance include: Clarendon,…

State Lowers Emergency Status, Recovery Operations Expand

October 16, 2016 South Carolina’s state Emergency Response Team is lowering its emergency status from Operating Condition Three to OPCON Four. The State Emergency Operations Center will continue operations as the SERT enters the 16th day of support to local governments and residents with Hurricane…

Winter Weather News Conference on Dec. 1

November 30, 2014 TAKE STEPS NOW TO PREPARE FOR THE WINTER SEASON Governor Nikki Haley has proclaimed the week of December 4 through December 10, 2016, as South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service along with…

South Carolina Should Prepare for Freezing Temps

January 6, 2015 The S.C. Emergency Management Division encourages everyone in the state to be prepared for below freezing conditions that are expected beginning Wednesday. Fortunately, forecasters with the National Weather Service do not expect precipitation such as rain or snow. The "Severe…

Chesterfield County Residents Eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance Program

September 25, 2018 At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has amended its disaster declaration for Hurricane Florence to make residents in Chesterfield County eligible to apply for the Individual Assistance program. Residents in Dillon, Horry,…

What to Expect After You Register For Disaster Assistance

May 6, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C . - If you were affected by the April 12-13 severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds in Aiken, Colleton, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg and Pickens counties, you may be eligible for FEMA help. Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners and renters can…

Update on Team South Carolina's Response to Tropical Storm Debby

August 8, 2024 South Carolina's state agencies and local partners continue to respond to Tropical Storm Debby as it gradually leaves our state, tracking northeast. "We have entered the third and final act of Tropical Storm Debby, and even though the rain and wind will start to let up, flooding…