South Carolina Emergency Preparedness
Official emergency management contacts, disaster risks, kit checklists, and action plans for South Carolina residents.
State Emergency Management Agency
South Carolina Emergency Management Division
Sign up for your county's emergency alert system for real-time warnings. FEMA Region 4 also provides free CERT training and Ready.gov resources.
South Carolina Risk Profile
Emergency Kit Checklist
Minimum 72-hour supply. For South Carolina, plan for 7 days due to hurricanes risk.
Water
- ✓ 1 gallon per person per day (7-day supply)
- ✓ Water purification tablets
- ✓ Portable water filter (e.g., Sawyer, LifeStraw)
- ✓ Collapsible water containers
Food
- ✓ 7-day supply of non-perishables
- ✓ Manual can opener
- ✓ Portable camp stove + fuel
- ✓ High-calorie energy bars
Communication
- ✓ Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
- ✓ Backup phone charger / power bank
- ✓ Printed emergency contact list
- ✓ Whistle + signal mirror
South Carolina-Specific Extras
- ✓ 7+ day water supply (storms can disrupt supply for weeks)
- ✓ Waterproof bag for documents
- ✓ Board-up materials or storm shutters
- ✓ Cash (ATMs fail when power is out)
Make Your Emergency Plan
A physical kit is only half the equation. Every household needs a written plan that everyone knows.
Identify two meeting places
One near home (e.g., a neighbor's driveway) and one outside your neighborhood if you can't return home.
Designate an out-of-state contact
It's often easier to reach someone across the country during a local emergency. Everyone calls the same number.
Know your shelter-in-place option
Know your evacuation zone before hurricane season. Have a destination planned, and leave early when an order is issued — never wait until the last minute.
Sign up for county emergency alerts
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division coordinates alerts. Visit your county's emergency management website to register for text and email warnings.
Practice once a year
Do a full drill — where do you go, what do you grab, how do you communicate? Muscle memory matters in a real emergency.
Critical Documents to Protect
Store originals in a fireproof, waterproof box. Keep digital copies in a secure cloud service. Keep photocopies in your go-bag.