2015 Severe Weather Awareness Week

March 5, 2015 South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2017 will be observed March 5 – 11. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the South Carolina Broadcasters Association jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe storms,…

Earthquake Guide Now Available Statewide

October 1, 2014 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 10:00 a.m.) – The South Carolina Earthquake Guide is available for the first time statewide via the Senior P.R.E.P. section at every Walgreens store in the state. The S.C. Earthquake Guide is the first publication that details South…

S.C. launches new site for business reentry certification

August 29, 2018 Columbia, S.C. – Businesses in South Carolina now have a new automated online tool to register for post-disaster reentry following evacuations for large-scale emergencies. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division launched the new site in collaboration with South Carolina…

SCEMD Monitors Hurricane Elsa

July 2, 2021 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is monitoring Hurricane Elsa, which forecasters say could affect the South Carolina next week. As a result of the storm’s projected movement toward the southeast United States, key local and state agencies have been notified to be ready…

SCEMD Achieves National Reaccreditation (1)

November 29, 2023 The Emergency Management Accreditation Program has granted the South Carolina Emergency Management Division full national accreditation. This national certification program examined the state's ability to respond to and prepare for disasters. SCEMD was first accredited in 2008…

Gov. McMaster Declares State of Emergency for South Carolina

August 4, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2024-16 , declaring a State of Emergency in preparation for the potential effects of Tropical Storm Debby, and asks South Carolinians to monitor local forecasts and to begin taking proper precautions. The executive order activates…

SCEMD Monitors Potential Tropical Cyclone 8

September 15, 2024 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, which will soon become Tropical Storm Helene. Forecasters say the storm is expected to strengthen to a tropical storm before making landfall north of Charleston early tomorrow afternoon.…

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…

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is Still Available for South Carolinians

March 1, 2022 Federal funding for COVID-19-related funeral costs is still available. FEMA has provided more than $42 million to more than 6,000 people in South Carolina who lost loved ones during the pandemic. To apply for assistance or ask questions about an existing application, individuals…

Local Wireless Emergency Alert Test on April 2

March 25, 2019 Residents within approximately ten miles of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station should expect a Wireless Emergency Alert System test on their mobile devices on Tuesday, April 2 at 1 p.m. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division will conduct this test as part of Dominion Energy’s…

Residents Should Ask to See Identification of Hurricane Matthew Relief Workers

October 10, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Residents in affected counties are encouraged to be mindful of possible scams associated with the recovery efforts of hurricane Matthew. Thousands of disaster workers will be coming into the state from all over the country. People affected by Matthew should take a…

SCEMD Moves to OPCON 2

September 26, 2024 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division has elevated the state's readiness and response to Operating Condition Level Two, or OPCON 2, as Hurricane Helene approaches South Carolina. This decision follows Governor Henry McMaster's declaration of a State of Emergency,…

Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week

March 2, 2018 March 4-10, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 2, 2018) — Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2018 will be observed March 4-10. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service jointly sponsor…

South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week

February 28, 2014 South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2017 will be observed March 5 – 11. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the South Carolina Broadcasters Association jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 5-11, 2023

March 2, 2023 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2023 will be observed March 5-11. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe storms,…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 3-9, 2024

March 1, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2024 will be observed March 3-9. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources jointly sponsor…

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,…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 8-14, 2026

March 4, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Governor Henry McMaster has designated March 8–14, 2026, as South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is partnering with the National Weather Service and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to…

S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 7-13, 2021

March 1, 2021 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2021 will be observed March 7-13. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service jointly sponsor the week to remind people that severe storms,…

2013 News Releases

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. Read More About S.C. Attains National…