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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…
President Declares Disaster for April Storm
May 2, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. - At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, President Donald Trump has declared a disaster exists in South Carolina as a result of severe storms and tornadoes on April 12-13, 2020. Residents who suffered storm damage in the following seven counties may now register for…
New Website, New Guide for Hurricane Season
May 27, 2021 South Carolina residents have a new, state-of-the-art resource to help them be better prepared for hurricanes. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division today officially launched hurricane.sc , an interactive website that will guide people through the fundamentals of being…
FEMA Aid now available for Hurricane Ian November 22, 2022 At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, the President has declared a disaster exists in South Carolina as a result of Hurricane Ian. Residents who suffered damage in Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties may now register for…
Many people are unaware of how common earthquakes are in South Carolina. Approximately 10 to 15 earthquakes are recorded annually in South Carolina with 3 to 5 of them felt or noticed by people. About 70 percent of South Carolina earthquakes are located in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic…
Long-term aid for S.C. flood survivors
April 1, 2016 Hearts & Hands Disaster Recovery will be providing long-term disaster case management services throughout the state of South Carolina. HHDR will assist flood survivors in the 24 disaster declared counties with access to long term recovery resources. The disaster-impacted counties…
South Carolina Returns to Normal Operations
January 30, 2014 Columbia, S.C. (Thursday, January 30) – The State of South Carolina starts to return to normal as the S.C. Emergency Management Division and the agencies of the State Emergency Response Team scale back operations relating to the severe winter storm that began Tuesday, January 28.…
FEMA Reaches Out to South Carolina Survivors with Access and Functional Needs
May 20, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. —The State of South Carolina and FEMA are committed to ensuring that services and assistance are available for survivors of the April 13 storms who have access and functional needs. It’s important for survivors to notify FEMA when they register for federal disaster help…
Free Legal Help Available for South Carolina Storm Survivors
May 22, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. –Free legal aid is available for survivors of South Carolina’s April 13 storms. Assistance includes help with securing FEMA and other government benefits, insurance claims, home repair contracts, replacing wills and other important legal documents, consumer protection…
Winter Weather Hotline Activated
January 25, 2026 South Carolina residents with questions about the winter weather response can call the state’s toll-free hotline. Operators with the State’s Public Information Phone System are available 24 hours a day for as long as needed. If you have questions about the state’s winter weather…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
Register for CodeRed Emergency Alerts
May 14, 2017 Get emergency notifications from SCEMD by phone, text and email. Alert Types: Notifications will be sent out when a major disaster is imminent or has just occurred, at the request of county emergency managers and various emergency situations requiring you to take personal protective…
S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles deploys mobile units to areas affected by Hurricane Matthew
October 11, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. – In an effort to better serve citizens affected by Hurricane Matthew and subsequent flooding, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be operating limited offices in Lowcountry, Pee Dee, and Grand Strand counties. These openings will occur…
SCEMD Urges Severe Weather Precautions
February 23, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 4 p.m.) - The South Carolina Emergency Management Division urges everyone to stay alert for severe weather and possible tornadoes beginning tonight and into tomorrow. Forecasters with the Storm Prediction Center has placed South…
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…
