Hampton County Emergency Management

06/16/2026

BE SAFE! BE PREPARED! PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL OUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN ONE PLACE. THERE IS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION IN THE GULF. SO PLEASE REMEMBER TO PLAN AHEAD.

06/10/2026

SCDOT AND SC HIGHWAY PATROL ARE DOING A HURRICANE EVACUATION EXERCISE TODAY. IT WILL RUN FROM 8AM UNTIL 3PM TODAY. PLEASE DRIVE WITH CAUTION.

06/08/2026

04/27/2026

NEWS RELEASE: Governor Henry McMaster has declared May as South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Month, encouraging residents to prepare now for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, State Emergency Response Team members, and county emergency managers are urging people, communities, and businesses to plan ahead, gather supplies, and stay informed.

The state's Hurricane Preparedness Month theme, “Plan Ahead. Stay Ahead,” encourages South Carolinians to take simple steps now before a storm is on the horizon. Being prepared ahead of time helps you stay one step ahead of any storm.

Know Your Zone. In South Carolina, hurricane evacuation decisions are based on designated zones in coastal counties. You can quickly find your zone using the SC Emergency Manager mobile app, downloading the 2026 South Carolina Hurricane Guide (https://www.scemd.org/stay-informed/publications/hurricane-guide/) or by visiting https://hurricane.sc/.

Prepare Your Home. Check your home now to make sure it’s ready for hurricane season. Inspect your roof, clean your gutters, and review your insurance coverage. Take photos and make a list of your belongings for documentation so you’re prepared if damage occurs.

Remember Your Route. Identify your nearest hurricane evacuation route before the season begins. If your area is ordered to evacuate, follow guidance from local authorities and blue hurricane evacuation signs throughout the state, as they are more reliable than GPS navigation.

With more than 180 miles of coastline and many low-lying communities, South Carolina faces a high risk from hurricanes and tropical storms. While coastal areas often see the greatest impact, these storms can cause damage across the entire state. Flooding and storm surge remain the most serious threats, while high winds and tornadoes can also lead to significant destruction.

Recent storms have shown just how far-reaching these impacts can be, bringing power outages, fallen trees, tornadoes, and inland flooding to communities well beyond the coast. These events serve as a strong reminder that preparation is essential, no matter where you live in the state.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, making early preparation essential.

Link to release: https://www.scemd.org/news/hurricane-preparedness-month-3/

04/22/2026

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has issued an Air Quality Alert for fine particulates for the following counties in South Carolina:

Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Georgetown, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, and Williamsburg, along with Columbia and Richmond counties in Georgia.

The Air Quality Alert is in effect through Thursday, April 23rd. An Air Quality Alert means that the fine particulate concentrations within the specified area may approach or exceed unhealthy standards due to large wildfires burning over southern Georgia.

Southerly winds on the west side of high pressure centered just off the Southeast coast will continue transport smoke from the southern Georgia wildfires into South Carolina and the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). As of the early afternoon hours Wednesday, air quality was already deteriorating over the CSRA region and the Midlands. As stable conditions develop this evening and overnight, smoke is expected to expand in coverage and become more noticeable. Smoke from the wildfires is expected to continue to affect the region on Thursday.

SCDES recommends that individuals with respiratory health issues limit time spent outdoors and/or move all activities indoors to avoid the smoke or fine particulates. Keep windows and doors closed. Run an air conditioner if you have one but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke and fine particulates from getting inside. Please note that locations closest to the wildfire activity are more likely to experience smoke at any given time.

South Carolina Air Quality Forecast: https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-air-quality/air-quality-forecast
For more information about fine particulates, please visit: https://fire.airnow.gov
For more information about wildfires/prescribed burns, please visit: https://www.scfc.gov/

If you see or smell smoke, take the necessary precautions to protect your health.