Evacuation Orders Lifted For Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley And Colleton Counties

October 9, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – In coordination with local officials, Governor Nikki Haley on Sunday announced that evacuation orders have been lifted for all residents in Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley and Colleton counties as of 10:00 AM. At the request of local officials, evacuation orders…

Beware of Scams in the Wake of Hurricane Matthew

October 8, 2016 Columbia, S.C. — People affected by Hurricane Matthew should be aware of potential scams that could come in the form of emails, phone calls, text messages, and others. Scams of this kind are often times used against individuals in areas that have recently been affected by natural…

Team South Carolina Prepares for Hurricane Florence

September 12, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Emergency Response Team continues to track Hurricane Florence and remains fully dedicated to preparing for the storm's potential impact on South Carolina. Forecasters say that Florence is currently a Category 3 hurricane and has the capacity…

Team South Carolina Emergency Response

September 24, 2018 The South Carolina Emergency Response Team is monitoring and preparing for the water levels of rivers to continue to rise. The forecast is for flood waters in portions of the Pee Dee region including Horry and Georgetown counties to crest this week. Residents should continue to…

Survivors Who Don’t Agree with FEMA Decision Have a Right to Appeal

October 24, 2018 All applicants for FEMA recovery assistance have the right to appeal if they disagree with FEMA’s determination. The first step is for the survivor to read their entire FEMA determination letter carefully. This letter will provide information about the types of assistance FEMA has…

Community help for COVID-19

April 14, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, April 14, 2020) – The South Carolina Emergency Response Team requests donations of greatly needed supplies to help emergency personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific needs include personal protective equipment such as double gloves, medical gowns,…

Gov. Henry McMaster Creates accelerateSC, a Coordinated Economic Revitalization Plan

April 20, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Recognizing the impact of COVID-19’s impact to South Carolina’s economy, Governor Henry McMaster today announced the creation of accelerateSC, a coordinated economic revitalization plan involving small and large business leaders, healthcare professionals, local…

Statewide Mutual Aid

Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement (Current Signatories) Statewide Mutual Aid Signatories (Needed) Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement (Fillable Form) Exhibit A (Fillable Form) Submitting Mutual Aid Agreement(s) Instructions: Read these instructions and useful tips carefully. 1. Execute the appropriate…

South Carolina Marks 10 Years Since Historic 2015 Flooding

October 1, 2025 Columbia, S.C. – October 2025 marks ten years since the historic flooding event that devastated much of South Carolina. The October 2015 flood remains one of the most widespread disasters in the state’s history, prompting a major disaster declaration in 36 counties and leading to…

2023 News Releases

SCEMD Achieves National Reaccreditation 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…

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…

Four South Carolina Counties Approved for Individual Assistance Program

September 21, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. - At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended its disaster declaration for Hurricane Florence to make residents in Dillon, Horry, Marion and Marlboro counties eligible to apply for the Individual Assistance…

Florence and Darlington County Residents Eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance

October 2, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has amended its disaster declaration for Hurricane Florence to make residents in Florence and Darlington counties eligible to apply for the Individual Assistance program.…

2014 News Releases

S.C. Agencies Prepare Early for Winter Months December 1, 2014 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Monday, December 1, 2014, 1:30 P.M.) - The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, along with the agencies that comprise the State Emergency Response Team, encourages everyone in South Carolina to prepare for the…

Training and Exercises

The SCEMD Training and Exercise Section is responsible for coordinating the training of emergency planners and response personnel throughout all levels of government in South Carolina, as well as the developing and execution of state emergency management exercises. SCEMD Training Resources…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Charleston And Jasper Counties To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

November 9, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Disaster recovery centers are now open in North Charleston and Ridgeland to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Charleston and Jasper County centers will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the…

South Carolina Tracking Tropical Storm Idalia

August 28, 2023 South Carolina residents should prepare for Tropical Storm Idalia, which forecasters say will become a hurricane today, and could affect many parts of the state after making landfall along the west coast of Florida. While forecasters with the National Weather Service and the…

Prepare for Severe Weather Tuesday

January 8, 2024 South Carolina residents should prepare for severe weather expected to impact the state Tuesday. As of this morning, Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict widespread damaging winds and the possibility of tornados, heavy rains and flash flooding, with the most severe…

SBA Approves Governor Henry McMaster’s Request for Disaster Assistance

June 4, 2024 Following Governor Henry McMaster's May 24 request the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that South Carolina's businesses and residents affected by the April 20 severe weather are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans. The declaration covers York…

SBA Approves Governor Henry McMaster’s Request for Disaster Assistance (1)

June 27, 2024 Following Governor Henry McMaster's June 21 request , the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that South Carolina's businesses and residents affected by the June 10 severe weather are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans. The declaration covers…