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President Declares Disaster for State of South Carolina and 13 Counties
October 11, 2016 In response to Governor Nikki Haley’s request, President Barack Obama declared a major disaster exists in the State of South Carolina and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in 13 counties most severely affected by Hurricane Matthew. The Federal…
S.C. to Get Federal Assistance in Wake Of Winter Storm
March 12, 2014 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 1:15 p.m.) – In response to Governor Nikki Haley’s request, President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster area for parts of South Carolina. Federal disaster aid is now available for 21 counties in South Carolina which were most…
Gov. Henry McMaster Orders Evacuations for Barrier Islands in Colleton, Beaufort and Jasper Counties
September 8, 2017 Governor Henry McMaster today ordered the evacuation of certain barrier islands in Beaufort, Colleton and Jasper Counties. Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Irma, residents on those islands should prepare to evacuate their homes beginning tomorrow, Saturday, September 9 at…
October 14, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Friday, October 14)– The South Carolina Emergency Response Team remains fully dedicated to ongoing relief and recovery efforts as a result of Hurricane Matthew and flooding in the Pee Dee region. The state Emergency Operations Center is activated at Operating…
While there have not been any successful acts of terrorism committed in South Carolina in recent years, the state has many critical and high-profile facilities, high concentrations of population and other potentially-attractive venues for terrorist activity that are inherently vulnerable to a…
All thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning. In the United States, an average of 300 people are injured and 80 people are killed each year by lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating…
Governor Henry McMaster Secures FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant for Upstate Fires
March 24, 2025 Governor Henry McMaster today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved South Carolina’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) to support efforts to contain the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County and the Persimmon Ridge Fire in…
Disaster Recovery Centers are open in affected counties to help residents with damages and losses from Hurricane Florence. Additional centers will be opening soon in other areas. Representatives from the State of South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business…
The South Carolina Hurricane Guide is updated annually by SCEMD in collaboration with local and state partners of the South Carolina Emergency Response Team. All information contained in the Guide is valid at the time of publication each year, but is subject to change based on actual storm…
Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Florence County
October 8, 2018 The State of South Carolina and FEMA will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Florence County on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Disaster Recovery Centers offer in-person support to individuals and businesses in the counties included in the South Carolina major disaster declaration for…
Select Your County Select your county Abbeville Aiken Allendale Anderson Bamberg Barnwell Beaufort Berkeley Calhoun Charleston Cherokee Chester Chesterfield Clarendon Colleton Darlington Dillon Dorchester Edgefield Fairfield Florence Georgetown Greenville Greenwood Hampton Horry Jasper Kershaw…
State Lowers Emergency Status, Recovery Operations Expand
October 16, 2016 South Carolina’s state Emergency Response Team is lowering its emergency status from Operating Condition Three to OPCON Four. The State Emergency Operations Center will continue operations as the SERT enters the 16th day of support to local governments and residents with Hurricane…
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…
State now at OPCON 1, President issues Emergency Declaration for South Carolina
October 3, 2015 The S.C. Emergency Management Division and partner state agencies have increased the state’s operating condition to level one. OPCON 1 is the highest of the five operational classifications and indicates that a disaster or emergency situation is in effect and full emergency…
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. EMAP is a nationally recognized voluntary review process that demonstrates…
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is accepting applications for our new Citizens Academy, where community members are given a hands-on opportunity to learn about the state agency responsible for coordinating the preparation for, the response to and the recovery from major disasters…
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…
August 10, 2017 Heat Injuries • Vehicle Safety • Recreation Safety • Sports Safety • Water Safety • Outdoor Safety Summer is what South Carolina is known for. With all the fun in the sun to be had, it's also when the potential increases for heat-related injuries. Heat injuries are preventable. …
August 4, 2015 Heat Injuries • Vehicle Safety • Recreation Safety • Sports Safety • Water Safety • Outdoor Safety Summer is what South Carolina is known for. With all the fun in the sun to be had, it's also when the potential increases for heat-related injuries. Heat injuries are preventable. …
Summer is what South Carolina is known for. With all the fun in the sun to be had, it's also when the potential increases for heat-related injuries. Heat injuries are preventable. Follow these simple recommendations to stay safe in the summer sun: Drink plenty of water Avoid heavy meals at lunch…
