South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Guide 2026

The Palmetto State's stunning coastline comes with a price: South Carolina sits in the crosshairs of Atlantic hurricanes. From the historic streets of Charleston to the beaches of Myrtle Beach, millions of residents and visitors face the annual threat of tropical systems that can reshape the coast in hours. But hurricanes aren't the only danger—South Carolina also experiences damaging floods, deadly tornadoes, and sits atop one of the most seismically active zones on the East Coast. Preparation here isn't seasonal; it's year-round.

South Carolina's Hazard Profile

South Carolina's geography creates a perfect storm of vulnerabilities. The state's 187-mile coastline features extensive barrier islands, tidal marshes, and low-lying terrain that flood during even moderate storms. Inland, the Pee Dee and Santee river systems can overflow during heavy rains, flooding communities far from the coast. And beneath Charleston, a seismic zone that produced one of the deadliest earthquakes in American history remains active.

The combination of growing coastal population, aging infrastructure, and climate change is amplifying these risks. Sea level rise is accelerating coastal erosion and making storm surge reach further inland. More people now live in vulnerable areas than ever before. Yet with proper preparation, South Carolinians can protect themselves and their families from even the worst nature delivers.

Primary Disaster Threats

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Hurricanes define South Carolina's disaster landscape. The state's concave coastline acts like a catcher's mitt for storms moving up the Atlantic coast or crossing the Gulf of Mexico. While direct hits by major hurricanes are relatively rare, even glancing blows from offshore systems can cause catastrophic flooding and damage.

Hurricane Hugo (1989) remains South Carolina's benchmark disaster. The Category 4 storm made landfall near Charleston with 140 mph winds and a storm surge reaching 20 feet in some locations. Hugo killed 35 people in South Carolina and caused $7 billion in damage. The storm destroyed 18,000 homes, damaged 56,000 more, and left some areas without power for weeks. Entire barrier islands were reshaped overnight.

More recent storms have reinforced the ongoing threat. Hurricane Matthew (2016) caused historic flooding from its heavy rains. Hurricane Florence (2018) stalled offshore and dropped over 20 inches of rain on parts of the state, causing catastrophic inland flooding. Hurricane Dorian (2019) caused significant damage along the coast. Each storm demonstrated that South Carolina must prepare not just for wind, but for water in all its forms.

Flooding: South Carolina's Deadliest Hazard

While hurricanes grab headlines, flooding kills more South Carolinians over time than any other natural disaster. The state faces flooding from multiple sources: coastal storm surge, tidal flooding, river flooding, and flash floods from heavy rainfall.

The October 2015 flood demonstrated South Carolina's inland flood vulnerability in devastating fashion. A stalled weather system dropped historic rainfall across the state—over 20 inches in 5 days in some areas. Dam failures, river flooding, and flash floods killed 19 people and caused over $2 billion in damage. Some areas that had never flooded experienced feet of water. The disaster revealed that flood risk extends far beyond the coast.

Charleston faces a particular challenge: "sunny day" flooding from king tides that now regularly inundate downtown streets. Sea level rise has increased the frequency of this nuisance flooding dramatically—what happened 5 times per year in 1970 now happens 50+ times annually. This gradual flooding preview of future storms should motivate preparation.

Tornadoes

South Carolina averages 15-20 tornadoes annually, placing it in the top third of states. The state sits in "Dixie Alley," where tornadoes often occur at night, are obscured by trees and hills, and move faster than Great Plains tornadoes. This makes South Carolina tornadoes particularly deadly.

Tornado season in South Carolina runs primarily from March through May, with a secondary peak in the fall. Hurricane and tropical storm landfalls also spawn tornadoes—sometimes dozens in a single event. These tropical tornadoes form quickly in the outer bands with little warning time.

The April 2020 tornado outbreak killed 9 people in South Carolina when multiple tornadoes struck during a single night. The deadliest struck rural Seneca, killing 6 people in mobile homes and manufactured housing. The outbreak highlighted the continuing vulnerability of mobile home residents and the importance of having a sturdy shelter available.

Earthquakes: Charleston's Hidden Threat

South Carolina sits atop one of the most seismically active zones on the East Coast. The Charleston Seismic Zone has produced some of the largest and most damaging earthquakes in U.S. history, and scientists expect it will produce damaging earthquakes in the future.

The August 31, 1886 Charleston earthquake (estimated magnitude 7.0) killed over 100 people and damaged 2,000 buildings. The shaking was felt as far away as Boston, 900 miles to the north. Charleston's historic buildings, many built of unreinforced brick, suffered catastrophic damage. The earthquake remains the deadliest in the eastern United States.

Today, small earthquakes occur regularly in the Charleston area—over 300 have been recorded since 1974. While most go unnoticed, they serve as reminders that the seismic zone remains active. A repeat of the 1886 earthquake would cause massive damage to Charleston's historic district, infrastructure, and the rapidly developed surrounding areas.

Unlike California, South Carolina's buildings, bridges, and utilities were not designed for earthquakes. This makes even moderate earthquakes more damaging than they would be in seismically prepared regions. Residents near Charleston should take earthquake preparedness seriously.

Extreme Heat

South Carolina's humid summers create dangerous heat conditions, particularly for outdoor workers, the elderly, and those without air conditioning. The combination of high temperatures (regularly exceeding 95°F) and high humidity produces heat index values above 105°F multiple times each summer.

Heat kills an average of 3-5 South Carolinians annually—more than tornadoes in most years. The danger increases during power outages when air conditioning fails. Extended heat waves also stress the power grid, increasing the risk of blackouts during the most dangerous heat.

Regional Preparedness Priorities

Lowcountry (Charleston, Beaufort, Hilton Head)

The Lowcountry faces the most concentrated disaster risks in South Carolina:

• Hurricane evacuation: Know your zone and leave when ordered—bridges close in high winds
• Storm surge: Much of the region is only a few feet above sea level
• Flooding: Tidal flooding affects daily life; storm flooding can be catastrophic
• Earthquakes: Charleston Seismic Zone poses unique risk
• Extended outages: Post-hurricane power restoration can take weeks

Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach, Georgetown)

South Carolina's tourism capital faces concentrated storm exposure:

• Mass evacuation: Peak season storms require moving hundreds of thousands of visitors
• Beach property: Storm surge and erosion threaten oceanfront structures
• Business continuity: Tourism-dependent economy requires rapid recovery
• River flooding: Waccamaw and Pee Dee rivers cause major inland flooding

Pee Dee and Midlands (Florence, Columbia)

Inland South Carolina faces different but significant risks:

• Inland flooding: Hurricane Florence demonstrated catastrophic flood potential
• Tornado risk: More tornadoes than the coast on average
• Hurricane remnants: Tropical systems often intensify over warm land
• Extreme heat: Less ocean moderation means hotter summers

Upstate (Greenville, Spartanburg)

The Upstate faces reduced but real hurricane and tornado risks:

• Remnant flooding: Hurricane remnants dump heavy rain on the piedmont
• Tornadoes: Outbreaks reach into the Upstate
• Winter weather: More ice and snow than the rest of South Carolina
• Flash flooding: Steep terrain concentrates rainfall

Essential South Carolina Preparedness Steps

Step 1: Know Your Evacuation Zone

Coastal residents must know their hurricane evacuation zone:

• Find your zone: Visit scemd.org or call 1-866-246-0133
• Know your routes: Identify multiple evacuation paths—traffic will be heavy
• Plan your destination: Inland family, friends, or hotels—don't wait to book
• Leave early: Lane reversals help but traffic still builds; 12+ hour delays are possible
• Pet planning: Many shelters don't accept pets—plan alternatives

Step 2: Build Hurricane Supplies

South Carolina hurricane kits should be comprehensive:

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day for 7+ days
• Food: Non-perishable supplies for 7+ days (power outages last weeks)
• Medications: 30-day supply minimum
• First aid kit: Including supplies for cuts from debris
• Flashlights and batteries: Multiple lights, extra batteries
• Weather radio: Battery or hand-crank NOAA radio
• Important documents: Waterproof container or cloud storage
• Cash: Small bills—ATMs and cards fail without power
• Generator fuel: 20+ gallons safely stored

Step 3: Prepare Your Property

Property protection reduces damage and speeds recovery:

• Hurricane shutters or plywood: Pre-cut plywood for all windows if no shutters
• Tree trimming: Remove dead branches and thin canopy to reduce wind resistance
• Roof inspection: Repair loose shingles before storm season
• Garage door: Weakest point in many homes—reinforce or have approved door
• Document valuables: Photo/video inventory for insurance claims

Step 4: Plan for Extended Power Outages

Post-hurricane outages in South Carolina routinely last 1-3 weeks:

• Generator sizing: Calculate needs for refrigeration, fans, medical equipment
• Safe operation: Never run generators indoors; install CO detectors
• Fuel storage: Safely store gasoline with stabilizer
• Food preservation: Know food safety guidelines for extended outages
• Communication: Car chargers, portable battery packs

Step 5: Address Tornado and Earthquake Risks

Beyond hurricanes, South Carolina faces additional threats:

• Tornado shelter: Interior room on lowest floor, away from windows
• Weather radio: Essential for nighttime tornado warnings
• Earthquake prep: Secure tall furniture, know Drop-Cover-Hold On
• Mobile home safety: Never shelter in mobile homes during tornadoes

Month-by-Month South Carolina Preparedness

Special Considerations

Tourism and Visitors

South Carolina hosts millions of visitors who may be unfamiliar with local hazards:

• Vacation rentals should maintain emergency supplies
• Visitors should know evacuation routes before storms threaten
• Beach vacationers should monitor weather forecasts
• Rip currents kill more beachgoers than hurricanes or sharks

Historic Properties

Charleston and other historic areas face unique vulnerabilities:

• Older buildings may have limited hurricane resistance
• Historic preservation requirements may limit modifications
• Earthquake vulnerability is higher for unreinforced masonry
• Flood insurance is essential for all historic properties

South Carolina Emergency Resources

• SC Emergency Management Division: scemd.org
• Know Your Zone: scemd.org/prepare/know-your-zone
• National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov
• SC511: Real-time traffic and road conditions
• Local Emergency Management: Contact your county emergency management office

Calculate Your South Carolina Preparedness Needs