Well before disaster strikes, South Carolina’s emergency-response professionals are prepared to guide the public as safely as possible through emergency conditions and recovery.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division works from an Emergency Operations Center in West Columbia to coordinate all state agencies responding to major disasters in South Carolina. They work in partnership with nonprofits and private entities, including the state’s network of electric cooperatives, who play essential roles in managing emergency-response activities statewide, restoring public safety and keeping the public informed. This Emergency Response Team can be on duty 24 hours a day throughout the duration of the emergency.
- The SCEMD website and the agency’s new SC Emergency Manager mobile app available for iPhone and Android devices serve as a resource both for preparedness ahead of a disaster and for updated information during the emergency.
- Safe evacuation procedures in the event of hurricanes or storm surges are outlined in SCEMD’s Know Your Zone program. This campaign encourages S.C. residents, especially those in low-lying or coastal regions, to identify their evacuation zones and routes in advance of a disaster and to stay tuned for alerts when evacuation is necessary.
- The South Carolina Hurricane Guide provides extensive details on safe evacuation procedures and other hurricane-safety tips.
The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina works closely with SCEMD during emergencies, ensuring that power is restored as soon as lineworkers can do so. ECSC coordinates the work of repair crews working up to 16 hours a day, often in extreme and dangerous conditions. After major weather events, mutual-aid agreements with cooperatives in surrounding states mean that ECSC can call on extra help, if needed.
When Hurricane Matthew hit South Carolina in October 2016, more than 300,000 co-op members lost power. Fallen trees, washed-out roads and flooding created obstacles for repair crews working to inspect and repair the damage. S.C. National Guard troops helped clear the way for co-op line crews to get to work.
Coordinated by the ECSC, lineworkers were able to restore power across most of the state in just over one week, with assists from crews from eight other states.
- Electric cooperative members experiencing power outages can find contact information for reporting loss of power at Reporting your power outage.
- To find out how ECSC works to get the power back on after a disaster, see Restoring your power after a storm.
In addition, major disasters can create a need for additional emergency assistance from the American Red Cross. Local chapters, supported by donations and volunteers, provide disaster relief through shelter, food, emergency supplies and emotional support. Through news media, social media, and public service announcements, the Red Cross informs the public about available shelter sites, food deliveries, meal kitchens, and other emergency resources.
Below are additional resources that offer emergency alerts, preparedness tips, weather updates and other helpful information when disaster strikes.
Weather resources
- National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
- National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov/
- The Weather Channel: https://weather.com/
Emergency alerts
- S.C. disaster information and updates: http://www.scemd.org/
- S.C. evacuation routes (interactive map): https://scdot.maps.arcgis.com
- Know Your Zone (SCEMD evacuation zones): http://www.scemd.org/prepare/know-your-zone/
- S.C. Department of Transportation road advisories: http://www.511sc.org/
- Find open shelters: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter
Downloadable information guides
- South Carolina Hurricane Guide: https://www.scemd.org/stay-informed/publications/hurricane-guide/
- South Carolina Earthquake Guide: https://www.scemd.org/media/1009/sc-earthquake-guide.pdf
- Severe Winter Weather in South Carolina: https://scemd.cdn.missc.net/media/1008/sc-winter-weather-guide.pdf
- Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (from American Red Cross and FEMA): http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240199_A4497.pdf
Online resources
- Hurricane safety tips and resources: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml
- Mobile apps for disaster notifications, updates, preparedness: http://www.redcross.org/gethelp/prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps
- American Red Cross disaster recovery guides: http://www.redcross.org/gethelp/disaster-relief-and-recovery/recovery-guides
- Help after a disaster (FEMA): https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
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Additional resources
It can happen again – Watch a video to learn more about the vital mission of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division and how to plan for, and respond to, natural and manmade disasters.