2018 SHMP

March 26, 2018 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is requesting comments on the updates made to the 2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan. Please submit comments to mitigation@emd.sc.gov by March 30, 2018.

2019 Hurricane Preparedness Week begins Sunday

May 23, 2019 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed May 26 through June 1 to be South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week. SCEMD, county emergency managers and the National Weather Service urge individuals, businesses and communities to begin preparations ahead of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane…

Dr. Bell: “Data shows that wearing face masks works”; Latest COVID-19 Update

August 12, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) released new data today that indicates local mask ordinances are helping to slow the spread of COVID-19. “This new data shows us what we already knew, wearing face masks works,” said Dr. Linda…

Hazardous Materials

The state's industrial capacity and the network of interstate highways and railways result in vulnerabilities to hazardous material releases from both stationary sites and transportation sources. Facilities that use or store hazardous materials are located throughout the state in both rural and…

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…

Mobile App Privacy

PRIVACY POLICY Last updated January 01, 2024 This privacy notice for South Carolina Emergency Management Division (" we ," " us ," or " our "), describes how and why we might collect, store, use, and/or share (" process ") your information when you use our services (" Services "), such as when…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Florence And Marion Counties To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

October 26, 2016 Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Florence And Marion Counties To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors COLUMBIA, S.C. – Disaster recovery centers are now open in Gresham and Lake City to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Florence County and Marion…

SCEMD Monitors Hurricane Arthur

July 1, 2014 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division continues to follow the latest information on Hurricane Arthur. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center have issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Horry and Georgetown Counties. The storm's direct impacts to the state are expected to…

Team South Carolina Responds to Tropical Storm Debby

August 6, 2024 Team South Carolina continues to respond to Tropical Storm Debby's ongoing impacts on the state. The State Emergency Operations Center is fully operational and staffed by emergency personnel from multiple state agencies and emergency organizations 24 hours a day. As of 2 p.m. today,…

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…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Aiken, Anderson Counties

October 14, 2024 Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Aiken and Anderson counties to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Aiken County Nancy Carson Library 135 Edgefield Road North Augusta, SC 29841 Open Oct. 14-17 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Anderson County …

Disaster Recovery Center Open in Pickens County

October 14, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center is open in Pickens County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Pickens County Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library 304 Biltmore Road Easley, SC 29640 Open Oct. 15-19 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. This location…

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Laurens County

October 16, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center will be open in Laurens County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Laurens County Laurens County Public Library 1017 W. Main St. Laurens, SC 29360 Open Oct. 16-19 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. This location joins the…

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Union County

October 19, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center will be open in Union County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Union County Union County Library 300 E. South St. Union, SC 29379 Open Oct. 20-22 , 8 a.m.-7 p.m. This location joins the centers previously…

Marion and Orangeburg Counties Eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance

October 15, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Residents in Marion and Orangeburg counties who were impacted by Hurricane Matthew are now eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individual Assistance program. Survivors who sustained losses in these two designated counties can apply for federal…

Rain, Flash Flooding Possible with T.S. Julia

September 14, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, September 14, 2016) – South Carolina Emergency Management recommends that people pay close attention to weather associated with Tropical Storm Julia. The National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center predict that T.S. Julia could produce…

SCEMD Monitors Hurricane Joaquin, Urges Everyone to Review Plans

September 30, 2015 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is paying close attention to Hurricane Joaquin, and as a result of the storm’s projected movement, key agencies in South Carolina government have been notified to be ready to respond if the need arises. “There’s a lot of…

Tropical Storm Andrea Forms, Prompting Preps

June 6, 2013 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Thursday, June 6, 2013, 9:30 a.m.) – The first named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season has formed and could potentially affect South Carolina. The National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center expect Tropical Storm Andrea to produce heavy rain and…

South Carolina Officials Warn Public to Watch Out for Possible COVID-19 Vaccine-related Scams

January 27, 2021 COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina residents should be aware of scammers targeting COVID-19 vaccine seekers. South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), State Law Enforcement Division, Emergency Management Division, and Department of Consumer Affairs…

Tracking Helene: SCEMD Supports Statewide Response to Storm Damage

September 27, 2024 Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is supporting a state-wide response to the impacts to South Carolina from Hurricane Helene. SCEMD urges all South Carolinians to take immediate safety precautions, and to stay off the roadways if they do not have…