2015 News Releases

State Lowers Emergency Status, Recovery Operations Expand (1) October 12, 2015 The South Carolina Emergency Response Team is transitioning to the state’s emergency operational status to level 3. OPCON 3 is the third lowest of five operational conditions and allows state agencies to continue…

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…

SCEMD sends logistics chief to Kentucky

December 15, 2021 Governor Henry McMaster has authorized the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to send its Chief of Operations Support and Logistics to Kentucky to assist with tornado response and recovery efforts. The request for assistance from Kentucky came through the Emergency…

Default

Power to Your Emergency Plan Download the SCEMD App for on-the-go tools & resources at your fingertips Download the SCEMD App Are you Prepared For a Hurricane? View Your Hurricane Guide Now View Updated Hurricane Evacuation Zones Click for Latest Disaster Information News South Carolina Opioid…

404

Power to Your Emergency Plan Download the SCEMD App for on-the-go tools & resources at your fingertips Download the SCEMD App Are you Prepared For a Hurricane? View Your Hurricane Guide Now View Updated Hurricane Evacuation Zones Click for Latest Disaster Information News South Carolina Opioid…

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 Urges Severe Weather Precautions

February 23, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 4 p.m.) - The South Carolina Emergency Management Division urges everyone to stay alert for severe weather and possible tornadoes beginning tonight and into tomorrow. Forecasters with the Storm Prediction Center has placed South…

Helpline for Shelter Locations

October 7, 2016 Columbia, S.C. – Evacuees seeking refuge from Hurricane Matthew should call 1-866-246-0133 to be directed to the nearest open emergency shelter anywhere in the state. The state’s public information phone system is operational 24 hours a day until South Carolina is no longer in…

South Carolina Hurricane Awareness Week

May 29, 2014 Governor Henry McMaster will proclaim May 28-June 3 to be 2017 South Carolina Hurricane Awareness Week. The S.C. Emergency Management Division, agencies of the State Emergency Response Team and county emergency managers will be engaged in many activities throughout the week to…

State Agency Resources for COVID-19

Protective Actions Executive Orders Office of the Governor Health and Wellness South Carolina’s hospitals and health systems are on the front lines of a battle against COVID-19 South Carolina Hospital Association Tools and resources to help safeguard your mental health. South Carolina Department…

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…

Georgetown County Residents Eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance Program

September 26, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. - At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has amended its disaster declaration for Hurricane Florence to make residents in Georgetown County eligible to apply for the Individual Assistance program. Residents in…

South Carolina Tracking Hurricane Ian

September 26, 2022 South Carolina residents should continue to monitor Hurricane Ian as it approaches the southeast United States. As of Monday, forecasters believe Ian could bring tropical storm force winds, heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes to South Carolina at the end of the week. As a…

Gov. Henry McMaster Declares State of Emergency for South Carolina

September 25, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2024-24 , declaring a State of Emergency in preparation for the potential effects of Hurricane Helene, and asks South Carolinians to monitor local forecasts and begin taking proper precautions. The governor's order activates…

Evacuation Orders Lifted for Beaufort and Jasper Counties

October 9, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – In coordination with local officials, Governor Nikki Haley on Sunday announced that evacuation orders have been lifted for all residents in Beaufort and Jasper counties as of 6:30 PM. At the request of local officials, evacuation orders for zones in Georgetown and…

Evacuation Orders Lifted For Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley And Colleton Counties

October 9, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – In coordination with local officials, Governor Nikki Haley on Sunday announced that evacuation orders have been lifted for all residents in Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley and Colleton counties as of 10:00 AM. At the request of local officials, evacuation orders…

Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Darlington County

October 17, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The State of South Carolina and FEMA are opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Darlington (Darlington County) Wednesday, Oct. 17. Eight additional centers are open in the areas affected by Hurricane Florence. The centers offer in-person support to individuals and…

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.…

2021 Hurricane Preparedness Week Begins Sunday

May 26, 2021 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed May 30 through June 5 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 2021 Atlantic Hurricane…

SC Winter Weather Preparedness Week

November 26, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week for 2024 will be observed December 1 through December 7, 2024. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and agencies that make up the State Emergency…