911 Service Restored in Eight Counties

May 31, 2013 911 service is operational in eight counties after an interruption in commercial telephone service this morning. County emergency managers in Clarendon, Fairfield, Georgetown, Horry, Laurens, Lee, McCormick and Williamsburg Counties report any one with an emergency can call 911.…

New Website, New Guide for Hurricane Season

May 27, 2021 South Carolina residents have a new, state-of-the-art resource to help them be better prepared for hurricanes. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division today officially launched hurricane.sc , an interactive website that will guide people through the fundamentals of being…

S.C. Agencies Prepare Early for Winter Months

December 1, 2014 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Monday, December 1, 2014, 1:30 P.M.) - The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, along with the agencies that comprise the State Emergency Response Team, encourages everyone in South Carolina to prepare for the upcoming winter season during South Carolina…

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…

Announcement of Initial Public Notice

October 26, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is required by law to provide public notice of its intent to provide federal assistance and grant opportunities via the Public Assistance (PA), Individual Assistance (IA), or Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs.…

DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT SOUTH CAROLINA

October 8, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. ­- The S.C. Emergency Response Team strongly reminds all citizens coastal evacuation orders are still in effect. Hurricane Matthew began impacting the state this morning with hurricane and tropical storm-force winds, heavy rain and flooding along the coast and far…

Gov. Henry McMaster Orders Non-Essential Businesses Closed Throughout S.C.

March 31, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2020-17 , which orders the closure of nonessential businesses, as defined by the executive order, throughout the state in order to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The businesses that will be closed as a…

Mitigation

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to state and local governments, Indian tribes or other tribal organizations, and certain private…

Gov. Henry McMaster Requests Federal Disaster Declaration in Advance of Hurricane Florence's Potential Impact to the State

September 9, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has submitted to President Donald Trump a request for a federal emergency declaration in anticipation of the possible impact from Hurricane Florence. A copy of the governor's letter requesting the declaration can be found here. The…

Governor Henry McMaster Lifts Restrictions on Attractions Effective Friday, May 22

May 20, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today announced that attraction facilities will be permitted to open throughout South Carolina beginning Friday, May 22nd. The governor’s announcement comes after AccelerateSC has been meeting for nearly a month to determine the safest ways to…

Working with SCEMD

Work that makes a difference! The South Carolina Emergency Management Division seeks exceptional men and women to join our team and help the agency to meet our important mission of protecting lives and property. Visit the South Carolina Careers website for information on state employment…

Gov. Nikki Haley Announces Evacuation Of Additional Areas In Jasper and Colleton Counties, Zones B

October 6, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. - As Hurricane Matthew continues to threaten the southeastern United States, Governor Nikki Haley today ordered an evacuation of additional coastal areas in Jasper and Colleton, South Carolina. Residents and visitors in Zone B of Jasper and Colleton Counties should…

2022 News Releases

FEMA Aid now available for Hurricane Ian November 22, 2022 At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, the President has declared a disaster exists in South Carolina as a result of Hurricane Ian. Residents who suffered damage in Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties may now register for…

Update on Team SC Response and Recovery After Helene

October 1, 2024 As cleanup efforts remain in full effect and utility crews work diligently to restore power and deliver essential resources to the areas hit the hardest, state agencies are asking residents to be patient. “I know these are trying times for so many of our South Carolina families as…

FAQ

What is SCEMD? The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is a part of the S.C. Department of the military and is the primary division of state government that is responsible for coordinating the preparation for, the response to and the recovery from major disasters in South Carolina. I have…

Gov. Nikki Haley Announces Evacuation of Georgetown & Horry Areas

October 5, 2016 COLUMBIA,S.C. (Thursday, October 5, 2016) - As Hurricane Matthew continues to threaten the southeastern United States, Governor Nikki Haley today ordered an evacuation of coastal areas in and around Horry and Georgetown, South Carolina. Residents and visitors in certain parts of…

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…

Ian Expected to Make Landfall in South Carolina

September 29, 2022 The National Hurricane Center recently issued a hurricane warning for portions of the South Carolina coast. Forecasters now believe Ian, which is currently a tropical storm, will make landfall somewhere near Charleston as a Category One hurricane. Everyone should finalize their…

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…

Gov. Henry McMaster Orders Evacuations for Barrier Islands in Colleton, Beaufort and Jasper Counties

September 8, 2017 Governor Henry McMaster today ordered the evacuation of certain barrier islands in Beaufort, Colleton and Jasper Counties. Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Irma, residents on those islands should prepare to evacuate their homes beginning tomorrow, Saturday, September 9 at…