South Carolina Hurricane & Storm Checklist: 24 Items
A practical South Carolina storm safety checklist covering south carolina hurricane evacuation zones, storm surge, flood-prone routes, tornadoes and power outages.
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🗺️ Know Your Zone and Storm Risk
Notes: Use SCEMD Know Your Zone to check coastal surge and evacuation exposure.
Use SCEMD Know Your Zone to check coastal surge and evacuation exposure.
Notes: Review annually updated guidance and your county emergency plan.
Review annually updated guidance and your county emergency plan.
Notes: Hurricanes can also cause inland rain flooding and tornadoes.
Hurricanes can also cause inland rain flooding and tornadoes.
Notes: Use state, county, NWS and emergency notifications with battery backup.
Use state, county, NWS and emergency notifications with battery backup.
🚗 Organize Evacuation and Routes
Notes: Review posted blue evacuation signs and state route guidance before storms.
Review posted blue evacuation signs and state route guidance before storms.
Notes: During official evacuation, temporary traffic routing can differ from GPS suggestions.
During official evacuation, temporary traffic routing can differ from GPS suggestions.
Notes: Confirm destination, accessibility arrangements and pet acceptance.
Confirm destination, accessibility arrangements and pet acceptance.
Notes: Allow extra time and tell someone outside the affected area where you plan to go.
Allow extra time and tell someone outside the affected area where you plan to go.
🎒 Pack Essential Hurricane Supplies
Notes: Include pets, infants and household-specific dietary supplies.
Include pets, infants and household-specific dietary supplies.
Notes: Store protected insurance records and essential health instructions.
Store protected insurance records and essential health instructions.
Notes: Test batteries ahead of possible extended outages.
Test batteries ahead of possible extended outages.
Notes: Stage a portable go-bag near your household departure location.
Stage a portable go-bag near your household departure location.
🏠 Make the Home Safer Before Winds
Notes: Prepare coverings early without waiting for dangerous wind conditions.
Prepare coverings early without waiting for dangerous wind conditions.
Notes: Protect household members from windblown debris.
Protect household members from windblown debris.
Notes: Move valuables away from possible floodwater while it is safe.
Move valuables away from possible floodwater while it is safe.
Notes: Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning with outdoor placement and working alarms.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning with outdoor placement and working alarms.
🚨 Act During Hurricane and Tornado Warnings
Notes: Follow SCEMD guidance, designated roads and traffic officials.
Follow SCEMD guidance, designated roads and traffic officials.
Notes: Never drive around a closure or through water of uncertain depth.
Never drive around a closure or through water of uncertain depth.
Notes: Stay away from windows and shield head and neck.
Stay away from windows and shield head and neck.
Notes: Strong winds can return after a temporary lull.
Strong winds can return after a temporary lull.
🔧 Return and Recover Responsibly
Notes: Check state/county routes before returning to a coastal community.
Check state/county routes before returning to a coastal community.
Notes: Report hazards to appropriate local services.
Report hazards to appropriate local services.
Notes: Do not consume food or water exposed to flood contamination.
Do not consume food or water exposed to flood contamination.
Notes: Document losses when safe and update your hurricane plan.
Document losses when safe and update your hurricane plan.
Complete Guide
Who this checklist is for
This checklist helps households in South Carolina prepare for South Carolina hurricane evacuation zones, storm surge, flood-prone routes, tornadoes and power outages. It is a planning aid, not a warning service or an official evacuation instruction. Always follow the latest National Weather Service and local emergency management directions.
Plan locally, not by state name alone
Risk varies substantially by county, neighborhood, elevation, building type and the type of storm. Check your local hazard maps and official warning systems. For urgent hazards, protect life first and leave property-protection tasks until safe conditions return.
How to use this checklist
Work through the six sections before severe weather arrives. Mark actions completed, adapt tasks to your household and revisit plans when you move, replace equipment or receive updated evacuation guidance. Do not put personal document numbers or confidential medical details in public notes.
Official sources and safety updates
These agency links support the checklist. Recheck the official page for new warnings, instructions and local variations.
Important safety limits
Never drive into floodwater. Never use a vehicle, manufactured home or highway overpass as your planned tornado shelter. Do not run gasoline or other fuel-powered generators inside homes, garages or near openings. Follow local evacuation orders as issued; this static checklist does not provide real-time conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Does this checklist replace local emergency alerts?
No. Activate local warning channels and follow current emergency instructions.
Should I evacuate for every storm?
There is no one-size-fits-all rule. Follow official orders and your local evacuation or shelter guidance for the actual hazard.
Can this checklist be used in every part of the state?
Use it as a starting point. County, city, building and household risks differ; adjust the list to your location and needs.
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