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…

State Agencies Urge Patience as Recovery Efforts Continue; Offer Guidance on Vetting Contractors

October 3, 2024 Cleanup operations are in full swing in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and while progress is being made, the road to full recovery will take time. Continued Efforts and Support South Carolina's state agencies and local partners report the following as of 2:00 p.m. today: The South…

Team South Carolina Prepares for Flooding in the Pee Dee region

September 15, 2018 Columbia, S.C.-The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), the SC National Guard, the SC Emergency Management Division, the SC Department of Corrections, the SC Department of Natural Resources, the US Army Corps of Engineers and Horry County are working collectively…

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.…

Wildfires

Wildfires can be attributed to many different causes, but most of them involve human carelessness. Escaped debris burns are the number one cause of wildfires in South Carolina, responsible for more wildfire ignitions than all other causes combined. Other leading causes include equipment use…

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…

Winter Weather

Heavy snowfall, ice, and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major winter storm or extreme cold. Snow and ice storms, coupled with cold temperatures, periodically threaten South Carolina. Winter storms can damage…

South Carolina Should Prepare for Hurricane Matthew

October 2, 2016 Columbia, S.C. (Sunday, October 2, 2016) - The S.C. Emergency Management Division has begun initial preparations for Hurricane Matthew, currently a category four hurricane that could affect the East Coast U.S. in the coming days. Based on the storm’s projected strength 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…

Storm Hotline Activated

August 6, 2024 Residents in South Carolina who have questions about Tropical Storm Debby can now call the state’s toll-free hotline. Operators with the State’s Public Information Phone System are available 24 hours a day for as long as needed. If you have questions about Tropical Storm Debby, such…

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…

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…

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…

Director

Kim Stenson was named Director of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division of the Adjutant General’s Office in June 2013. Under his direction, the Division provides oversight and coordination for emergency and disaster consequence management planning, and response and recovery operations…

SCEMD Wins National Public Information Award

April 23, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Tuesday, April 23, 2013) – The National Association of Government Communicators awarded the South Carolina Emergency Management Division its prestigious 2013 Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award. SCEMD received this national recognition for the South Carolina Earthquake…

Community Vaccination Center Hits Milestone

April 25, 2021 Today, more than 4,000 people have received their COVID-19 vaccine at South Carolina’s Community Vaccination Center at Columbia Place Mall. This temporary mass vaccination clinic, which opened April 13, is operating for another six weeks and currently offers the Pfizer vaccine. “I’m…

STATE PUBLIC HOTLINE ACTIVATED

September 8, 2017 Residents in South Carolina who have questions about Hurricane Irma can now call the state’s toll-free hotline. Operators with the Public Information Phone System (PIPS) are available 24 hours a day for as long as is needed. If you have questions about Hurricane Irma, such as…

State now at OPCON 1, President issues Emergency Declaration for South Carolina

October 3, 2015 The S.C. Emergency Management Division and partner state agencies have increased the state’s operating condition to level one. OPCON 1 is the highest of the five operational classifications and indicates that a disaster or emergency situation is in effect and full emergency…

Certification

The South Carolina Certified Emergency Manager program was created to raise and maintain professional standards in emergency management and to certify achievement of that standard within the profession in South Carolina. The program was developed in a cooperation between the South Carolina…