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Gov. Henry McMaster, SCEMD Urge Storm Preparation for Tropical Storm Elsa

July 6, 2021 Residents should finalize their storm preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center predict portions of South Carolina’s coast will experience tropical storm conditions beginning Wednesday and into Thursday morning. Forecasters expect gusty…

Earthquake Swarm Highlights Safety

November 1, 2021 The United States Geological Survey to date has confirmed seven low-magnitude earthquakes in and around Jenkinsville, South Carolina since October 25. The most recent earthquake confirmed by USGS occurred just before 11 a.m. today and registered a 2.0 magnitude . Seismologists…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 6-12, 2022

March 4, 2022 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2021 will be observed March 6-12. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe storms,…

South Carolina to ShakeOut, Launch New Earthquake Prep Resource Next Week

October 13, 2022 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed Earthquake Preparedness Week for 2022 be observed October 16-20 in South Carolina. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn about our state’s seismic fault system and how best to…

South Carolina to ShakeOut for Earthquake Preparedness Week (3)

October 12, 2023 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed Earthquake Preparedness Week for 2023 to be observed October 15-21 in South Carolina. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn about our state’s seismic fault system and how best…

Hurricane Preparedness Month (1)

April 30, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster has officially declared May as South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Month. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, county emergency managers, the National Weather Service, and all members of the State Emergency Response Team urge people,…

Gov. Henry McMaster's Federal Major Disaster Declaration Approved

September 30, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster announced that South Carolina's September 28 request for an Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to provide federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Helene has been approved . The initial list of…

South Carolina to ShakeOut for Earthquake Preparedness Week (4)

October 10, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed October 13-19, 2024, as Earthquake Preparedness Week in South Carolina. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn about our state’s seismic fault system and how best to prepare for…

South Carolina Emergency Response Team Monitors Winter Storm

January 29, 2026 Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is actively monitoring a weather system that is expected to bring snow across the state Friday night into Sunday morning. SCEMD officials are coordinating with the State Emergency Response Team, the National Weather…

May is Hurricane Preparedness Month in SC

April 27, 2026 Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has declared May as South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Month , encouraging residents to prepare now for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, State Emergency Response Team members, and county…

Emergency Shelters Now Open

October 5, 2016 Columbia, S.C. (Wednesday, October 5, 2016) – The South Carolina Response Team today announced the opening of shelters across the state for residents and visitors who are evacuating from coastal areas as Hurricane Matthew approaches. Shelters began opening on Wednesday, October 5,…

Family Emergency Kit

It is important to keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of your family for at least three days. Assemble a Family Emergency Kit with items you may need in an emergency or evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as suitcases, duffle bags or covered…

Earthquakes

Many people are unaware of how common earthquakes are in South Carolina. Approximately 10 to 15 earthquakes are recorded annually in South Carolina with 3 to 5 of them felt or noticed by people. About 70 percent of South Carolina earthquakes are located in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic…

National Preparedness Day: Know Your Flood Risk

April 28, 2016 As part of National Preparedness Day on April 30, the S.C. Emergency Management Division and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources encourage everyone in South Carolina to take steps that reduce the risks of severe flooding. While many parts of the state are still recovering from…

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…

Statewide Response Continuing As Flooding Persists

October 4, 2015 Significant rainfall across South Carolina throughout the weekend has resulted in numerous road closures and delays caused by fast–moving floodwaters. The South Carolina Emergency Operations Center is fully activated at Operating Condition 1 by state agencies of the State Emergency…

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…

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…

Equipo Carolina del Sur se prepara para Huracán Florence

September 12, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – El equipo de respuesta a emergencias de Carolina del Sur continúa monitoreando Huracán Florence y sigue completamente dedicado a prepararse para su potencial impacto en Carolina del Sur. Los meteorólogos afirman que actualmente Florence es un huracán de…

South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week

December 3, 2018 Columbia, S.C. - Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed the week of December 2 through December 8, 2018, as South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service along with the agencies that comprise the…