Managing Mold, Muck and Mosquitoes

September 27, 2018 Heavy rains and flooding following Hurricane Florence may create several issues for residents as they begin recovery efforts. The S.C. Emergency Management Division and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control recommend following the guidelines established by the…

SCEMD updates social media public comment policy

March 16, 2020 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division engages people through many digital outlets, including scemd.org and popular social media platforms. Communicating with SCEMD through social media further enables people to contact SCEMD in a direct and meaningful way. The goal of…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Residents Should Prepare for Winter Weather

January 5, 2017 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division asks residents to prepare themselves and their homes for possible winter weather. Forecasters with the National Weather Service expect a wintry mix of snow, ice and rain for much of the state beginning Friday evening and lasting…

Earthquake Guide Now Available Statewide

October 1, 2014 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 10:00 a.m.) – The South Carolina Earthquake Guide is available for the first time statewide via the Senior P.R.E.P. section at every Walgreens store in the state. The S.C. Earthquake Guide is the first publication that details South…

Ice Storm Reimbursement Deadline Extended

April 9, 2014 The S.C. Emergency Management Division announced today that any applicant eligible for federal reimbursement from the Feb. 10-14 winter weather event should submit a formal request to the agency before May 9. SCEMD is accepting Requests for Public Assistance from any local…

SCEMD Wins National Public Information Award

April 23, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Tuesday, April 23, 2013) – The National Association of Government Communicators awarded the South Carolina Emergency Management Division its prestigious 2013 Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award. SCEMD received this national recognition for the South Carolina Earthquake…

S.C.’s new personal emergency app, new SCEMD website

May 29, 2018 Columbia, S.C. (Tuesday, May 29, 2018) – Residents in South Carolina now have a new mobile tool to help them be personally prepared for large-scale emergencies, such as hurricanes. The S.C. Emergency Management Division recently unveiled the SC Emergency Manager , a smartphone app…

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…

Team South Carolina Prepares for Flooding in the Pee Dee region

September 15, 2018 Columbia, S.C.-The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), the SC National Guard, the SC Emergency Management Division, the SC Department of Corrections, the SC Department of Natural Resources, the US Army Corps of Engineers and Horry County are working collectively…

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,…

Community Vaccination Center Hits Milestone

April 25, 2021 Today, more than 4,000 people have received their COVID-19 vaccine at South Carolina’s Community Vaccination Center at Columbia Place Mall. This temporary mass vaccination clinic, which opened April 13, is operating for another six weeks and currently offers the Pfizer vaccine. “I’m…

SCEMD Monitors Hurricane Elsa

July 2, 2021 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is monitoring Hurricane Elsa, which forecasters say could affect the South Carolina next week. As a result of the storm’s projected movement toward the southeast United States, key local and state agencies have been notified to be ready…

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…

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…