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…
Gov. Henry McMaster Orders Non-Essential Businesses Closed Throughout S.C.
March 31, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2020-17 , which orders the closure of nonessential businesses, as defined by the executive order, throughout the state in order to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The businesses that will be closed as a…
Gov. McMaster Declares State of Emergency for South Carolina
August 4, 2024 Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2024-16 , declaring a State of Emergency in preparation for the potential effects of Tropical Storm Debby, and asks South Carolinians to monitor local forecasts and to begin taking proper precautions. The executive order activates…
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 actions. You…
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 our goal to help…
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…
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…
DHEC warns of floodwater dangers
October 14, 2016 COLUMBIA, S.C. (Friday, October 14) – Pee Dee area residents, particularly those in hard-hit counties such as Marion, Marlboro, Dillon and Florence, should not wade or play in floodwaters resulting from Hurricane Matthew. “With rivers such as the Pee Dee, Little Pee Dee, Lumber,…
Be Aware of Safety and Health Dangers
October 8, 2016 Columbia, S.C. – Residents should be aware of potential dangers from Hurricane Matthew as county emergency managers have reported downed power lines, fallen trees, and flooded and washed out roads in the Lowcountry, Midlands and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina. As hazardous…
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…
Evacuation Orders Lifted for Horry and Georgetown Counties Tomorrow at 9AM
September 15, 2018 COLUMBIA, S.C. – In coordination with local officials, Governor Henry McMaster today announced that evacuation orders for Horry and Georgetown counties will be lifted tomorrow morning, Sunday, September 16 at 9 AM. Earlier today, the governor lifted evacuation orders for all…
Local Wireless Emergency Alert Test on April 2
March 25, 2019 Residents within approximately ten miles of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station should expect a Wireless Emergency Alert System test on their mobile devices on Tuesday, April 2 at 1 p.m. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division will conduct this test as part of Dominion Energy’s…
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…
Nearly $6 Million Approved for South Carolina April 13 Storm Survivors
June 8, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – About a month after the federal disaster declaration for South Carolina’s April 13 storms, nearly $6 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for survivors. The funds include grants from FEMA and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business…
Less Than Two Weeks Remain to Apply for Disaster Assistance
June 17, 2020 COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina homeowners, renters and businesses who had property damage or loss caused related to the April 13 storms have less than two weeks left to register and apply for federal disaster assistance. The deadline to register for assistance from FEMA and to apply…
Hurricane Ian Cleanup in South Carolina
October 3, 2022 Crews clearing roads of sand and debris are now reporting most areas are accessible to residents, although a few roads may still be closed for safety concerns. Anyone who experienced damage to their property due to Hurricane Ian should begin recovery and cleanup as soon as…
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 disaster assistance through FEMA. FEMA…
Tropical Storm Idalia Cleanup in South Carolina
August 31, 2023 Crews clearing roads of debris and sand from Tropical Storm Idalia are now reporting most areas are accessible to residents, although a few roads may still be closed for safety concerns. Anyone who experienced damage to their property due to the storm should begin recovery and…
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.…
Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Chester County
October 23, 2024 A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Chester County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Chester County Chester County Government Office 1476 J A Cochran Bypass Chester, SC 29706 Open Oct. 24-26, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Additional Disaster…