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…

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…

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…

2024 News Releases

Governor Henry McMaster Requests Major Disaster Declaration Following Severe November Flooding December 13, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster today requested a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to assist state and local recovery efforts following severe storms and heavy rainfall that caused…

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…

SCEMD Tracking Tropical Storm Helene

September 24, 2024 Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Helene, which will soon be entering the Gulf of Mexico and could significantly impact the state in the coming days. As of Tuesday, forecasters believe Helene could bring heavy…

Beaufort, Fairfield Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance in South Carolina

October 12, 2024 Homeowners and renters in Beaufort and Fairfield counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene are now eligible to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs,…

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…

Family Disaster Plan

Create a Family Disaster Plan Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Many families already have an emergency plan for a house fire, so making an all-hazard plan will just add a few more details. Every member of the family will have a role during an emergency, so it…

Equipos de asistencia para sobrevivientes de desastres están trabajando en Carolina del Sur

September 26, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. - Los equipos de Asistencia de Sobrevivientes de Desastres de FEMA están trabajando en las áreas de Carolina del Sur afectadas por el huracán Florence. Los sobrevivientes con pérdidas no aseguradas o subaseguradas no deben esperar a que llegue uno de estos equipos…

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…

2015 Hurricane Awareness Week

May 28, 2015 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/FEMA Disaster Centers to Close Temporarily Due to Hurricane Michael

October 9, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – With Hurricane Michael threatening to produce dangerous conditions across South Carolina, State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will close temporarily due to poor weather conditions. DRCs located in Chesterfield, Dillon, Georgetown, Horry, Marion and Marlboro…

Senior P.R.E.P. Program Kickoff

September 25, 2023 When an emergency impacts South Carolina, older adults are among the most vulnerable. Taking precautions ahead of time can greatly benefit seniors in vulnerable situations. The Senior P.R.E.P. (Planning and Resources for Emergency Preparedness) program, created by the South…

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…

SCEMD Hosts Full-Scale Exercise to Prepare for Pipeline Disruption During Cold Snap

March 14, 2025 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) hosted a full-scale exercise this week, bringing together members of the South Carolina Emergency Response Team (SERT) and local partners from across the state, as well federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and…

Governor Henry McMaster Secures FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant for Upstate Fires

March 24, 2025 Governor Henry McMaster today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved South Carolina’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) to support efforts to contain the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County and the Persimmon Ridge Fire in…

Hurricane Guide

The South Carolina Hurricane Guide is updated annually by SCEMD in collaboration with local and state partners of the S.C. Emergency Response Team. All information contained in the Guide is valid at the time of publishing each year, but is subject to change depending on actual storm conditions.…

Disaster Recovery Centers

Disaster Recovery Centers are open in affected counties to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Florence. Additional centers will be opening soon in other areas. Representatives from the State of South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business…

Evacuation Orders Lifted for Horry, Georgetown Counties

October 10, 2016 In coordination with local officials, Governor Nikki Haley announced Monday that evacuation orders have been lifted for all residents in Horry and Georgetown counties as of 8:00 AM. Orders for Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley, Colleton, Beaufort and Jasper counties were lifted…