National Preparedness Day: Know Your Flood Risk

April 28, 2016 As part of National Preparedness Day on April 30, the S.C. Emergency Management Division and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources encourage everyone in South Carolina to take steps that reduce the risks of severe flooding. While many parts of the state are still recovering from…

Winter Weather Begins in South Carolina

January 6, 2017 Governor Nikki Haley has declared a State of Emergency to mobilize additional state resources and the National Guard should they be needed in response to the impending hazardous weather. The Governor’s Executive Order activates the Emergency Operations Plan, directing all state…

Governor Declares State of Emergency

February 25, 2015 Governor Nikki Haley has declared a State of Emergency to mobilize additional state resources should they been needed in response to the impending hazardous weather. The Governor’s State of Emergency Executive Order activates the Emergency Operations Plan, directing all state…

Expect tropical storm conditions Monday

August 2, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Residents should finalize their storm preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center predict South Carolina’s coast will experience tropical storm conditions beginning late Monday and into Tuesday morning. Forecasters say…

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…

Prepare for Possible Winter Weather

January 13, 2022 Residents in the Upstate and Midlands regions of South Carolina should monitor local weather conditions and continue winter safety precautions ahead of potential winter weather this weekend. Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict the possibility of a wintry mix of…

Prepare for Another Round of Winter Weather

January 20, 2022 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division asks residents to prepare themselves and their homes for possible winter weather. The National Weather Service predicts the possibility of snow, freezing rain and ice accumulations in much of the state lasting into Saturday. “South…

Emergency Alerts

Emergency Alerts Residents should have several ways to receive critical, life safety information during an emergency. Federal, state and local public safety officials will use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to send emergency information directly to mobile devices, local broadcast…

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…

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…

2020 News Releases

South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week November 24, 2020 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed the week of November 29 through December 5, 2020, as South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service along…

Total Eclipse Safety Tips

August 21, 2017 On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible along a thin, roughly 100 mile-wide path that runs diagonally across America from Oregon to South Carolina. Beginning around 2:38 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2017, viewers who have gathered in areas like Greenville, Columbia…

Emergency Shelters Now Open

October 5, 2016 Columbia, S.C. (Wednesday, October 5, 2016) – The South Carolina Response Team today announced the opening of shelters across the state for residents and visitors who are evacuating from coastal areas as Hurricane Matthew approaches. Shelters began opening on Wednesday, October 5,…

Emergency Managers Monitor Tropical Storm Hermine

September 2, 2016 Columbia, SC – September 2, 2016, 5:15 p.m. - The strong winds and continued rainfall across the majority of the state have resulted in numerous closures and delays. The South Carolina Emergency Operations Center will continue to provide response assistance until Hermine or its…

Team South Carolina Supporting Recovery Efforts

September 30, 2024 Columbia, S.C. – Team South Carolina continues its response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene's impacts. State and local agencies are working closely together to restore power and ensure resources reach communities across the state. Utility crews are working around…

RETURN AND INITIAL RECOVERY INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE MATTHEW

October 10, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Residents affected by hurricane Matthew should continue monitoring local news sources and verified, official social media feeds for the most up to date information about communities and what to do when returning home. Returning Home At the request of local…

Winter Storm, January, 2016

January 22, 2016 Columbia, S.C. (Friday, January 22 2016, 5:30 P.M.) - The South Carolina Management Division continues to monitor the winter weather that is blanketing the eastern United States. Presently, Upstate and northern Midlands counties are experiencing various forms of precipitation to…

SCEMD prepares residents returning home after Tropical Depression Florence

September 16, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sunday, September 16, 2018) – Residents affected by Tropical Depression Florence should continue monitoring local news sources and verified, official social media feeds for the most up-to-date information about communities and what to do when returning home.…

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are free notifications delivered to your mobile device as part of a public safety system provided by Authorized Senders. The alerts are designed to inform you of imminent threats to safety or missing persons alerts in your area (e.g., AMBER Alerts). To receive…