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South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week
November 24, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed the week of November 29 through December 5, 2020, as South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service along with the agencies that comprise the State Emergency Response Team encourage everyone in South Carolina to prepare for severe winter weather by checking supplies and safety plans now. This year, residents should keep in mind the importance of COVID-19 precautions as more people stay indoors in the coldest weeks ahead.
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South Carolina to ShakeOut for Earthquake Preparedness Week
October 8, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed Earthquake Preparedness Week for 2020 be observed October 11-17 in South Carolina. The S.C. Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn about our state’s seismic fault system and how best to prepare for earthquakes.
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Dr. Bell: “Data shows that wearing face masks works”; Latest COVID-19 Update
August 12, 2020
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.
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Minor cleanup continues following Hurricane Isaias
August 4, 2020
Residents should exercise patience and anticipate minor travel delays, due to some blocked roadways or detours in areas impacted by Hurricane Isaias last night. As a reminder, do not drive around barricades or use emergency lanes that are needed for first responders.
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Isaias forecast to regain hurricane strength
August 3, 2020
Residents in potentially vulnerable areas should finish storm preparations and limit all unnecessary travel this evening as storm conditions worsen. The National Hurricane Center predicts Tropical Storm Isaias will make landfall tonight as a hurricane. Residents should continue to monitor the official forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, local media and official, verified social media accounts from public safety agencies for the latest information.
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Expect tropical storm conditions Monday
August 2, 2020
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 high winds, rain, flash flooding, isolated tornados and an estimated storm surge of 1-4 feet are all possible.
Monitor Hurricane Isaias
July 31, 2020
Residents in South Carolina should begin the necessary preparations for the possible effects of Hurricane Isaias. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is monitoring the storm, which forecasters say could affect the state beginning next week.
Taiwan Donates 92,000 Surgical Masks to the State of South Carolina
July 7, 2020
(WEST COLUMBIA, SC) - The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta (TECO) has donated 92,000 surgical masks to support South Carolina frontline medical personnel in the fight against COVID-19. South Carolina state government agencies worked together to ensure the delivery of the masks shipped directly from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s warehouse beginning on May 27, 2020.
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Less Than Two Weeks Remain to Apply for Disaster Assistance
June 17, 2020
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.
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Governor Henry McMaster Declares New State of Emergency, Lifts Restrictions on Bowling Alleys, Retail Capacity Restraints
June 12, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster has issued Executive Order 2020-40, which declares a new state of emergency, allows bowling alleys to open immediately, and lifts restrictions on the occupancy of retail establishments.
Nearly $6 Million Approved for South Carolina April 13 Storm Survivors
June 8, 2020
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.
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Temporada de huracanes 2020: Tiempo, Espacio, Personas, Lugar
May 28, 2020
El gobernador Henry McMaster ha proclamado el 31 de mayo al 6 de junio como la Semana de Preparación para Huracanes de Carolina del Sur. Los residentes, las empresas y las comunidades en Carolina del Sur deben comenzar los preparativos para la temporada de huracanes del Atlántico 2020. La preparación y planificación avanzadas protegen vidas, protegen propiedades y disminuyen los efectos devastadores de tormentas tropicales y huracanes.
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2020 Hurricane Season: Time, Space, People, Place
May 28, 2020
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 safeguards lives, protects property and lessens the devastating impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes.
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Free Legal Help Available for South Carolina Storm Survivors
May 22, 2020
Free legal aid is available for survivors of South Carolina’s April 13 storms.
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Governor Henry McMaster Lifts Restrictions on Attractions Effective Friday, May 22
May 20, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster today announced that attraction facilities will be permitted to open throughout South Carolina beginning Friday, May 22nd. The governor’s announcement comes after AccelerateSC has been meeting for nearly a month to determine the safest ways to reinvigorate the state’s economy.
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FEMA Reaches Out to South Carolina Survivors with Access and Functional Needs
May 20, 2020
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.
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Barnwell, Berkeley counties now eligible to apply for FEMA aid
May 12, 2020
At the request of Governor Henry McMaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended its disaster declaration for the April 12-13 tornadoes to make residents in Barnwell and Berkeleycounties eligible to apply for the Individual Assistance program.
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Governor Henry McMaster Announces that Additional Businesses, Gyms, Pools are Able to Open Monday, May 18
May 11, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster today announced that close contact service providers, fitness and exercise centers, commercial gyms, and public or commercial pools will beable to open in a limited capacity on Monday, May 18.
Governor Henry McMaster: Restaurants Are Able to Open for Limited Dine-in Services Monday, May 11
May 8, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster today announced that restaurants throughout South Carolina will be allowed to reopen for limited dine-in services beginning on Monday, May 11.
What to Expect After You Register For Disaster Assistance
May 6, 2020
If you were affected by the April 12-13 severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds inAiken, Colleton, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg and Pickens counties, you may be eligible for FEMA help.
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FEMA Awards Federal Funding for Mental Health Services to South Carolina during Coronavirus Pandemic
May 4, 2020
Federal fundingis now available for the state of South Carolina to provide crisis counseling services to its residents coping with stress and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Declares Disaster for April Storm
May 2, 2020
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 disaster assistance through FEMA: Aiken, Colleton, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg and Pickens counties.
Governor Henry McMaster to Lift “Work-or-Home” Order May 4th
May 1, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster today announced that the statewide “Work-or-Home” order will be lifted and returned to voluntary status on Monday, May 4th. The governor also announced that beginning on May 4th, restaurants throughout South Carolina may provide outdoor customer dining service in addition to existing take out, curbside, and delivery services.
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Governor Henry McMaster Declares New State of Emergency to Continue State’s Response to COVID-19
April 27, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2020-29, which declares a state of emergency throughout the state and allows for the state’s response to COVID-19 - and the ever-evolving challenges the pandemic presents - to continue.
Gov. Henry McMaster Creates accelerateSC, a Coordinated Economic Revitalization Plan
April 20, 2020
Recognizing the impact of COVID-19’s impact to South Carolina’s economy, Governor Henry McMaster today announced the creation of accelerateSC, a coordinated economicrevitalization plan involving small and large business leaders, healthcare professionals, local government officials, and education professionals.
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Storm cleanup during COVID-19
April 17, 2020
As cleanup efforts continue after Monday’s severe storm, it’s important to keep yourself safe from COVID-19.
SCEMD continues to assess damage from severe weather
April 15, 2020
Residents in areas affected by Monday’s storms should continue to use caution when traveling while crews continue cleaning up debris. Some roads remain impassable.
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Community help for COVID-19
April 14, 2020
The South Carolina Emergency Response Team requests donations of greatly needed supplies to help emergency personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific needs include personal protective equipment such as double gloves, medical gowns, face shields, and N95 respirator masks. Pre-sorted, palletized items are preferred.
Governor McMaster Issues “Home or Work” Order
April 6, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2020-21, which includes a mandatory “Home or Work” order and mandates capacity limitations to retail businesses still operating.
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Three Additional Counties Eligible for Public Assistance Funding in South Carolina
April 1, 2020
Ten South Carolina counties are now eligible to apply for additional funding under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas that sustained damage from severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred February 6-13, 2020.
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Gov. Henry McMaster Orders Non-Essential Businesses Closed Throughout S.C.
March 31, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2020-17, which orders the closure of non-essential businesses, as defined by the executive order, throughout the state in order to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
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South Carolina Receives Federal Disaster Declaration for COVID-19
March 28, 2020
In response to Governor Henry McMaster’s request, President Donald Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the state of South Carolina and approved federal reimbursementthrough FEMA for costs associated with emergency, life-safety actions in response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
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SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to South Carolina Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus
March 19, 2020
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to South Carolina small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Henry McMaster on March 17, 2020.
Joint Information Center Activated for COVID-19
March 16, 2020
The State Emergency Response Team has activated the Joint Information Center for all media covering the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in South Carolina. All media should contact this central location for all South Carolina related inquires related to COVID-19.
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SCEMD updates social media public comment policy
March 16, 2020
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division engages people through many digital outlets, including scemd.org and popular social media platforms. Communicating with SCEMD through social media further enables people to contact SCEMD in a direct and meaningfulway. The goal of SCEMD social media engagement is to be a helpful medium with official information that is conducive to real-time discussions and useful feedback. Most SCEMD social media pages allow interaction in the form of user comments. Users are encouragedto be collaborative and respectful of each other when commenting on official SCEMD social media.
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What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 13, 2020
Public health officials at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) continue to monitor an emerging outbreak of a novel coronavirus, now referred to as COVID-19.
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S.C. Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week March 8-14, 2020
March 6, 2020
Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed that South Carolina Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week for 2020 will be observed March 8-14.
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Flooding, cleanup continues after storms
February 7, 2020
Residents in areas affected by Thursday’s storms should continue to use caution when traveling and cleaning up debris. Many roads, particularly in the Upstate, are still flooded in localized areas or are otherwise impassable.
