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.…

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…

Gov. McMaster Declares State of Emergency to Support Response Efforts to Flash Flooding

November 7, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2024-33 , declaring a State of Emergency to assist South Carolina's response to flooding in the eastern Midlands and portions of the Lowcountry. The executive order activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and…

SCEMD and Partners Agencies Monitor Edisto River

November 11, 2024 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, in partnership with county and state agencies, closely monitors water levels along the Edisto River. Due to recent weather conditions, the river’s rising levels may affect surrounding areas. Residents near the Edisto River are…

SCEMD Moves to OPCON 2 Ahead of Winter Weather

January 30, 2026 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) has moved to OPCON 2 ahead of the forecasted winter weather, reflecting a higher level of readiness among emergency response teams statewide. SCEMD officials are working closely with the South Carolina Emergency Response…

Hurricane Helene Assistance for Survivors

November 5, 2024 President Biden declared a major disaster for South Carolina on September 29, 2024, based on the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Counties declared for Individual Assistance for Hurricane Helene: Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester,…

Tornadoes

South Carolina has averaged 23 tornadoes each year since 2014. During this period, there have been a total of 9 tornado-related fatalities. South Carolina ranks twenty-second in the United States in the number of tornado occurrences, and eighth in the number of tornadoes per square mile. While…

Gov. McMaster Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm

January 21, 2026 Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2026-02 declaring a State of Emergency in preparation for a winter storm system expected to impact the state beginning Saturday and continuing through the weekend, possibly into Monday. The governor's order activates the South…

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…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Beaufort And Colleton Counties To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

November 2, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center is now open in Walterboro to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew, the Colleton County center will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Another disaster recovery center will open tomorrow,…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Berkeley And Georgetown Counties To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

November 1, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Disaster recovery centers are now open in Georgetown and St. Stephen to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Berkeley and Georgetown County centers will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the…

Disaster Recovery Center To Open In Horry County To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

October 27, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center will open tomorrow, October 28, in Myrtle Beach to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Horry County center will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the South Carolina…

Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Marion County To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

October 21, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center will open tomorrow, Saturday, October 22, in Mullins to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Marion County center will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the South…

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Orangeburg County To Help Hurricane Matthew Survivors

October 20, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two disaster recovery centers are open in Orangeburg and Holly Hill to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew. The Orangeburg county centers will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice. Representatives from the South Carolina…

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…

SCEMD Monitors Subtropical Storm Ana

May 8, 2015 The first named storm of 2015 has formed and will affect South Carolina this weekend. The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for portions of the South Carolina coast. Forecasters expect Subtropical Storm Ana to produce heavy rain, gusty wind and rough surf.…

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…

Gov. Henry McMaster Declares State of Emergency to Prepare for Potential Impact from Hurricane Dorian

August 31, 2019 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency and urges South Carolinians to prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Dorian impacting the state. The executive order enables all state agencies to coordinate resources and…

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…