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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…

Winter Weather Hotline Activated

January 25, 2026 South Carolina residents with questions about the winter weather response can 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 the state’s winter weather…

Hurricane Helene Cleanup in South Carolina

September 28, 2024 Crews with state and local agencies are assessing damage caused by Hurricane Helene and coordinating response efforts to South Carolina’s hardest hit areas. Parts of the state saw tornadoes, flooding, downed powerlines and fallen tree limbs. Residents in South Carolina who have…

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…

South Carolina Should Prepare for Hurricane Irma

September 6, 2017 Governor Henry McMaster today issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency and, along with the S.C. Emergency Management Division, has urged South Carolinians to prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Irma impacting the state. The executive order enables all state…

Governor Declares State of Emergency (1)

September 8, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Saturday, September 8, 1:30 p.m.) – Governor Henry McMaster today issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency and, along with the S.C. Emergency Management Division, has urged South Carolinians to prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Florence…

Operational Condition Levels (OPCON)

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division operates on a system of Operational Condition Levels, also known as OPCONS. This numerical scale is how SCEMD, the State Emergency Response Team and counties coordinate, prepare and respond to major emergencies. The levels are designed to simplify…

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…

Personal Protective Equipment Offers

Our primary mission during the COVID-19 response is acquiring and distributing personal protective equipment. SCEMD is pursuing all available options to make sure medical professionals have an adequate supply of the equipment they need to care for patients. We’re seeking community partners with…

Nearly $6 Million Approved for South Carolina April 13 Storm Survivors

June 8, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – About a month after the federal disaster declaration for South Carolina’s April 13 storms, nearly $6 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for survivors. The funds include grants from FEMA and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business…

Gov. McMaster Announces Deployment of South Carolina Team to Texas for Flood Response

July 8, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has authorized the deployment of South Carolina Task Force 1 (SC-TF1), the state's Urban Search and Rescue team, to assist with response and recovery efforts following severe flooding in Texas. SC-TF1 is deploying a Canine (K-9) Search 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…

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…

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…

Earthquake Swarm Highlights Safety

November 1, 2021 The United States Geological Survey to date has confirmed seven low-magnitude earthquakes in and around Jenkinsville, South Carolina since October 25. The most recent earthquake confirmed by USGS occurred just before 11 a.m. today and registered a 2.0 magnitude . Seismologists…

Governor Declares State of Emergency (2)

August 29, 2023 Governor Henry McMaster has declared a State of Emergency in advance of any potential impacts from Hurricane Idalia. The Governor’s State of Emergency declaration puts state emergency plans into effect, enabling agencies to better coordinate resources jointly and respond to…

SCEMD Issues Notice About Emergency Notification System Offline

November 24, 2025 Emergency Alerts Will Continue to Reach South Carolinians Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) is alerting residents to a nationwide outage of the CodeRED notification system, one of several alert tools used by emergency management agencies in…

All SC Clam and Oyster Harvesting Areas to Close at Noon Friday

October 5, 2016 Columbia, S.C. (Wednesday, October 5, 2016, 7:30 p.m.) - All South Carolina shellfish beds will be closed at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016 in advance of Hurricane Matthew. This precautionary action is being taken because of the likelihood of the occurrence of heavy rainfall…

S.C. Attains National EMAP Accreditation

December 4, 2013 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the State Emergency Response Team received the high honor of national accreditation this August from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. EMAP is a nationally recognized voluntary review process that demonstrates…

Governor Nikki Haley Urges Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Matthew

October 4, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. - Governor Nikki Haley today issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency and asked residents to prepare for a potential evacuation of the South Carolina coast in advance of any impact from Hurricane Matthew. As state officials continue to monitor weather…