Help for Individuals

Links and Information Assistance for Hurricane Helene Survivors Disaster Assistance Fact Sheets Apply For Disaster Assistance Find Disaster Assistance Other Recovery Help FEMA helpline South Carolina Hurricane Helene Housing Strategy In the aftermath of a disaster, it is SCEMD’s goal to help…

Wildfires

Wildfires can be attributed to many different causes, but most of them involve human carelessness. Escaped debris burns are the number one cause of wildfires in South Carolina, responsible for more wildfire ignitions than all other causes combined. Other leading causes include equipment use…

RelyOnReal

Misinformation that seeks to minimize the severity of disasters and large-scale emergencies puts lives in danger. Disinformation is a form of misinformation that is deliberately deceptive and can be just as dangerous. Neither are opinions or personal points of view. You can help us eliminate both…

2025 News Releases

SC Winter Weather Preparedness Week December 1, 2025 Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed November 30 through December 6, 2025, as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in South Carolina. Read More About SC Winter Weather Preparedness Week SCEMD Issues Notice About Emergency Notification System…

News

South Carolina Emergency Response Team Monitors Winter Storm January 29, 2026 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is actively monitoring a weather system that is expected to bring snow across the state Friday night into Sunday morning. Read More About South Carolina Emergency Response…

Statewide Response Continuing As Flooding Persists

October 4, 2015 Significant rainfall across South Carolina throughout the weekend has resulted in numerous road closures and delays caused by fast–moving floodwaters. The South Carolina Emergency Operations Center is fully activated at Operating Condition 1 by state agencies of the State Emergency…

SBA Approves Governor Henry McMaster’s Request for Disaster Assistance (2)

September 20, 2024 Following Governor Henry McMaster's September 16 request , the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that South Carolina's businesses and residents affected by Tropical Storm Debby from the incident period of August 4-22 are eligible to apply for low-interest…

SCEMD sends logistics chief to Kentucky

December 15, 2021 Governor Henry McMaster has authorized the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to send its Chief of Operations Support and Logistics to Kentucky to assist with tornado response and recovery efforts. The request for assistance from Kentucky came through the Emergency…

Expect tropical storm conditions Monday

August 2, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Residents should finalize their storm preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center predict South Carolina’s coast will experience tropical storm conditions beginning late Monday and into Tuesday morning. Forecasters say…

SCEMD and Military Installations Join Forces During Disaster Seminar

February 6, 2024 Military representatives across South Carolina met with state and county emergency managers for a disaster preparedness seminar hosted by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. During the seminar on Tuesday, participants discussed the best practices and lessons learned…

Winter Weather Expected in South Carolina

December 7, 2018 Columbia, S.C. -Residents in the Upstate should monitor local weather conditions and continue winter safety preparations. Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict the possibility of a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow for portions of the state. The S.C. Emergency…

Team South Carolina Continues to Respond to Tropical Storm Debby

August 7, 2024 South Carolina's state agencies and local partners continue to respond to Tropical Storm Debby. As of 2 p.m. today, the storm, located 50 miles southeast of Charleston, is expected to continue to bring significant rainfall, gusty winds, and flooding to low-lying areas over the next…

Team South Carolina Responds to Helene

September 27, 2024 South Carolina's state agencies and local partners continue to respond to Helene. As of 2 p.m. today, the storm is located 125 miles south-southeast of Louisville, Kentucky, and is moving to the north-northwest at 28 mph. Moderate to major river flooding is forecasted for many…

Hurricane Evacuation Survey

June 5, 2023 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division's Hurricane Evacuation Study is underway ahead of the 2023 hurricane season. With your input, this study will guide how the state plans for and responds to hurricanes in South Carolina. Previous studies helped develop the state's…

South Carolina Hurricane Plan

The purpose of the South Carolina Hurricane Plan is to provide a framework of actions necessary for emergency operations in response to a hurricane in South Carolina. The South Carolina Hurricane Plan is Appendix 1 to the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan. 2026 Hurricane Base Plan Title…

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…

SCEMD monitors Hurricane Michael

October 8, 2018 South Carolina residents should monitor Hurricane Michael, which could affect many parts of the state after making landfall along the Gulf Coast. Forecasters with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center believe South Carolina could experience periods of heavy…

SCEMD monitors Hurricane Florence

September 7, 2018 Columbia, S.C -The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is monitoring Hurricane Florence, which forecasters say could affect the East Coast next week. As a result of the storm's projected movement toward the United States, key local and state agencies have been notified…

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…

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…