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…

Update on Team SC Response and Recovery After Helene

October 1, 2024 As cleanup efforts remain in full effect and utility crews work diligently to restore power and deliver essential resources to the areas hit the hardest, state agencies are asking residents to be patient. “I know these are trying times for so many of our South Carolina families as…

SCEMD Issues Notice About Emergency Notification System Offline

November 24, 2025 Emergency Alerts Will Continue to Reach South Carolinians Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) is alerting residents to a nationwide outage of the CodeRED notification system, one of several alert tools used by emergency management agencies in…

Equipo Carolina del Sur se prepara para Huracán Florence

September 12, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – El equipo de respuesta a emergencias de Carolina del Sur continúa monitoreando Huracán Florence y sigue completamente dedicado a prepararse para su potencial impacto en Carolina del Sur. Los meteorólogos afirman que actualmente Florence es un huracán de…

Rain, Flash Flooding Possible with T.S. Julia

September 14, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, September 14, 2016) – South Carolina Emergency Management recommends that people pay close attention to weather associated with Tropical Storm Julia. The National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center predict that T.S. Julia could produce…

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…

CAUTION URGED AROUND LOCAL DAMS

October 4, 2015 The S.C. Emergency Response Team continues to caution residents of potential dangers of rising waters, including those associated with neighborhood dams and flooding. The Department of Health and Environmental Control has been contacted by dam operators and made aware of several…

SCEMD Monitors Hurricane Joaquin, Urges Everyone to Review Plans

September 30, 2015 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is paying close attention to Hurricane Joaquin, and as a result of the storm’s projected movement, key agencies in South Carolina government have been notified to be ready to respond if the need arises. “There’s a lot of…

South Carolina Should Prepare for Hurricane Matthew

October 2, 2016 Columbia, S.C. (Sunday, October 2, 2016) - The S.C. Emergency Management Division has begun initial preparations for Hurricane Matthew, currently a category four hurricane that could affect the East Coast U.S. in the coming days. Based on the storm’s projected strength and…

NIMS

Developed by the Secretary of Homeland Security at the request of the President, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) integrates effective practices in emergency preparedness and response into a comprehensive national framework for incident management. The NIMS will enable responders at…

What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19)

March 13, 2020 Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency throughout the state to enhance the state's response to the COVID-19 virus' impact on the South Carolina. Executive orders issued by Governor Henry McMaster: 2020-10 Official (PDF) | Directing Additional Emergency Measures Due to…

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…

Report Winter Storm Damage to Emergency Management Officials

January 27, 2026 COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina residents are urged to report damage from the recent winter storm using the free SC Emergency Manager app. Submitting damage reports through the app helps state and local officials assess the storm’s impact and plan recovery efforts. The app is…

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…

2020 Hurricane Season: Time, Space, People, Place

May 28, 2020 Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed May 31 through June 6 to be South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week. Residents, businesses and communities in South Carolina should begin preparations for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Advanced preparation and planning…

SC Continues to Recover, One Year After Hurricane Helene

September 22, 2025 Columbia, S.C. – One year after Hurricane Helene impacted South Carolina, the state continues to make significant progress in its disaster recovery efforts. State, county, federal, and non-governmental partners continue coordinated efforts to support communities in rebuilding…

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are free notifications delivered to your mobile device as part of a public safety system provided by Authorized Senders. The alerts are designed to inform you of imminent threats to safety or missing persons alerts in your area (e.g., AMBER Alerts). To receive…

Gov. Nikki Haley Announces Evacuation of Georgetown & Horry Areas

October 5, 2016 COLUMBIA,S.C. (Thursday, October 5, 2016) - As Hurricane Matthew continues to threaten the southeastern United States, Governor Nikki Haley today ordered an evacuation of coastal areas in and around Horry and Georgetown, South Carolina. Residents and visitors in certain parts of…

Prepare for Another Round of Winter Weather

January 20, 2022 The South Carolina Emergency Management Division asks residents to prepare themselves and their homes for possible winter weather. The National Weather Service predicts the possibility of snow, freezing rain and ice accumulations in much of the state lasting into Saturday. “South…

Governor Henry McMaster Requests Disaster Declaration

May 8, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster today requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration to assist state and local recovery efforts following the dangerous storm system that moved through South Carolina on April 20, 2024. The storm produced high winds and large hail that impacted areas of York…