Prepared for the Season: SCDES Supports Hurricane Readiness Across South Carolina

As South Carolinians welcome the start of summer, it’s also time to turn our attention to hurricane preparedness. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began June 1 and continues through November 30. This year, forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting an active season, with an increased potential for severe storms and above-average storm activity. 

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is a vital member of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), which brings together local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate emergency preparedness and response efforts. SCDES plays several key roles in helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes and tropical storms.

Here are just a few of the ways our agency supports hurricane readiness and resilience:

• Dam Safety and Flood Preparedness: We alert dam and reservoir owners ahead of major rainfall and monitor dam conditions throughout storm events.
• Water System Support: Our teams provide technical assistance to public water and wastewater facilities facing storm-related impacts.
• Private Well Protection: We offer resources to help private well owners protect their water quality before and after a storm.
• Storm Debris Management: We coordinate with local governments to establish temporary debris collection sites to assist with cleanup and recovery.
• Hazardous Materials Response: Our emergency response staff are ready to manage spills or incidents involving hazardous materials.
• Shellfish Harvesting Closures: We issue temporary shellfish harvesting closures in areas affected by polluted floodwaters to protect public health.
• GIS & Mapping Tools: Our GIS specialists create flood maps and spatial data tools to guide emergency response and long-term recovery.
• Agricultural Assistance: We work with permitted agricultural operations to minimize the impact of floodwaters on waste lagoons.
• Coastal Damage Assessments: Our teams conduct post-storm coastal assessments using aerial surveillance.
• Emergency Coastal Orders: We issue emergency orders that authorize sandbagging and marine debris removal in impacted coastal areas.

To ensure coordination and readiness, SCDES leadership recently participated in the Governor’s Annual Hurricane Tabletop Exercise, held June 5. This yearly event brings together state agency leaders, emergency managers, and federal partners to review procedures, discuss forecasts, and reaffirm our collective commitment to protecting people, property, and the environment when hurricanes strike.

We encourage all South Carolinians to take time now to prepare for hurricane season. The 2025 South Carolina Hurricane Guide, produced by our partners at the S.C. Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), offers valuable information on evacuation zones, emergency kits, and storm safety tips. Download your copy from SCEMD's website.

You can also learn more about how SCDES supports storm preparedness and recovery efforts at des.sc.gov/storms.

At SCDES, we remain committed to doing our part to help South Carolina stay safe, strong, and storm ready.