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SBA Approves Governor Henry McMaster’s Request for Disaster Assistance September 20, 2024 Following Governor Henry McMaster's September 16 request, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that South Carolina's businesses and residents affected by Tropical Storm Debby from the…

Team SC Continues Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts, Tracking Hurricane Milton

October 7, 2024 As South Carolina continues its recovery efforts from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, state and local officials are closely monitoring Hurricane Milton, which is currently situated in the Gulf of Mexico. Current Situation: As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane…

Team South Carolina Continues to Respond to Tropical Storm Debby

August 7, 2024 South Carolina's state agencies and local partners continue to respond to Tropical Storm Debby. As of 2 p.m. today, the storm, located 50 miles southeast of Charleston, is expected to continue to bring significant rainfall, gusty winds, and flooding to low-lying areas over the next…

Team South Carolina Responds to Helene

September 27, 2024 South Carolina's state agencies and local partners continue to respond to Helene. As of 2 p.m. today, the storm is located 125 miles south-southeast of Louisville, Kentucky, and is moving to the north-northwest at 28 mph. Moderate to major river flooding is forecasted for many…

30 Days After Hurricane Helene, Recovery Continues in South Carolina

November 1, 2024 – Hurricane Helene made landfall on Sept. 26, bringing destructive winds, flooding, tornadoes, and extensive damage to utility infrastructure and homes in South Carolina that evening into the following day. Since then, FEMA has deployed more than 650 personnel across the state and…

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…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Cherokee, Saluda Counties

October 17, 2024 Two Disaster Recovery Centers will be open in Cherokee and Saluda counties to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Cherokee County East Gaffney Baptist Church 2308 Cherokee Ave. Gaffney, SC 29340 Open Oct. 17-20, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Saluda…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Aiken, Allendale, Greenwood, Newberry Counties

October 20, 2024 Disaster Recovery Centers will be open in Aiken, Allendale, Greenwood and Newberry counties to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Aiken County Aiken Technical College – Building B 2276 Jefferson Davis Highway Graniteville, SC 29829 Open…

SCEMD Monitors Subtropical Storm Ana

May 8, 2015 The first named storm of 2015 has formed and will affect South Carolina this weekend. The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for portions of the South Carolina coast. Forecasters expect Subtropical Storm Ana to produce heavy rain, gusty wind and rough surf.…

Team South Carolina Emergency Response

September 24, 2018 The South Carolina Emergency Response Team is monitoring and preparing for the water levels of rivers to continue to rise. The forecast is for flood waters in portions of the Pee Dee region including Horry and Georgetown counties to crest this week. Residents should continue to…

South Carolina Urged to Prepare for Winter Weather, Extreme Cold

January 18, 2025 South Carolina residents are being urged to prepare for expected winter weather and extreme cold in the coming days. Arctic air is expected to move into the state Sunday night, with the possibility of snow and ice impacting parts of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to…

Business Operations

A large-scale disaster anywhere in the state could disrupt normal operations and affect employees of any business. Every business in South Carolina should have continuity and safety plans in place prior to a major incident. Preparing Your Business for COVID-19 Emergency Support Function (ESF) 24…

South Carolina Marks 10 Years Since Historic 2015 Flooding

October 1, 2025 Columbia, S.C. – October 2025 marks ten years since the historic flooding event that devastated much of South Carolina. The October 2015 flood remains one of the most widespread disasters in the state’s history, prompting a major disaster declaration in 36 counties and leading to…

SCEMD, S.C. Commerce Host First Emergency Seminar for Local Businesses

October 25, 2016 Columbia, S.C. (Tuesday, October 25) - The S.C. Emergency Management Division and the S.C. Department of Commerce will host the first Business Emergency Preparedness Seminar on Wednesday, October 26, at the Phillips Market Center in West Columbia. “The private sector plays a…

Taiwan Donates 92,000 Surgical Masks to the State of South Carolina

July 7, 2020 (WEST COLUMBIA, SC) - The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta (TECO) has donated 92,000 surgical masks to support South Carolina frontline medical personnel in the fight against COVID-19. South Carolina state government agencies worked together to ensure the delivery of the…

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…

2018 News Releases

South Carolina Opioid Emergency Response Team Meeting April 23, 2018 South Carolina Opioid Emergency Response Team Meeting Agenda for 4/23/2018 Read More 2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan March 26, 2018 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is requesting comments on the updates made to…

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…

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…

Hurricane Season 2022

May 26, 2022 Governor Henry McMaster proclaimed May 29 through June 4 to be South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, county emergency managers, the National Weather Service along with all members of the State Emergency Response Team urge…