Evacuation Orders Lifted for Horry and Georgetown Counties Tomorrow at 9AM

September 15, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – In coordination with local officials, Governor Henry McMaster today announced that evacuation orders for Horry and Georgetown counties will be lifted tomorrow morning, Sunday, September 16 at 9 AM. Earlier today, the governor lifted evacuation orders for all…

SCEMD monitors Hurricane Michael

October 8, 2018 South Carolina residents should monitor Hurricane Michael, which could affect many parts of the state after making landfall along the Gulf Coast. Forecasters with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center believe South Carolina could experience periods of heavy…

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…

SCEMD Monitors Tropical Storm Nicole

November 9, 2022 South Carolina residents should monitor Tropical Storm Nicole, which could affect many parts of the state after making landfall along east coast of Florida. Forecasters with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center believe South Carolina could experience…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 5-11, 2023

March 2, 2023 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2023 will be observed March 5-11. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe storms,…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 3-9, 2024

March 1, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2024 will be observed March 3-9. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources jointly sponsor…

New Hurricane Evacuation Zones Unveiled

May 8, 2024 As hurricane season approaches, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division announces new hurricane evacuation zones aimed at helping community preparedness and safety during hurricanes. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, county emergency managers, the National…

SCEMD Monitors Potential Tropical Cyclone 8

September 15, 2024 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, which will soon become Tropical Storm Helene. Forecasters say the storm is expected to strengthen to a tropical storm before making landfall north of Charleston early tomorrow afternoon.…

SCEMD Moves to OPCON 2

September 26, 2024 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division has elevated the state's readiness and response to Operating Condition Level Two, or OPCON 2, as Hurricane Helene approaches South Carolina. This decision follows Governor Henry McMaster's declaration of a State of Emergency,…

Gov. McMaster Declares State of Emergency to Support Response Efforts to Flash Flooding

November 7, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2024-33 , declaring a State of Emergency to assist South Carolina's response to flooding in the eastern Midlands and portions of the Lowcountry. The executive order activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 2-8, 2025

February 24, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed March 2-8, 2025, as South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources are jointly…

Thunderstorms

All thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning. In the United States, an average of 300 people are injured and 80 people are killed each year by lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 8-14, 2026

March 4, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Governor Henry McMaster has designated March 8–14, 2026, as South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is partnering with the National Weather Service and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to…

2016 News Releases

Winter Weather Preparedness Week December 4, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Nikki Haley has proclaimed the week of December 4 through December 10, 2016, as South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week. Read More About Winter Weather Preparedness Week S.C. Residents Have Two Weeks to Apply for…

Gov. Henry McMaster Makes Two Disaster Declaration Requests Following Tropical Storm Debby

September 17, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration and a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration for eligible counties as a result of Tropical Storm Debby, which made landfall in South Carolina on August 8, 2024.…

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…

Team South Carolina Prepares For Tropical Depression Nine

September 27, 2025 Columbia, S.C. – Team South Carolina continues to monitor Tropical Depression Nine. The State Emergency Operations Center is activated and staffed by emergency personnel from multiple state agencies and emergency organizations. “The forecast for the incoming tropical depression…

The Great ShakeOut & Earthquake Preparedness Week

October 18, 2017 South Carolina to #ShakeOut for Earthquake Awareness Week Columbia, S.C. (Tuesday, October 18, 2016) - Governor Nikki Haley has proclaimed Earthquake Awareness Week for 2016 be observed October 16-22 in South Carolina. The S.C. Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to…

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…

South Carolina to #ShakeOut for Earthquake Awareness Week

October 18, 2016 Governor Nikki Haley has proclaimed Earthquake Awareness Week for 2016 be observed October 16-22 in South Carolina. The S.C. Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn about our state’s seismic fault system and how best to prepare for…