PLEASE NOTE: IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CALL 911.

I encourage you to directly contact the South Carolina Emergency Management Division's public information hotline at 866.246.0133 or visit http://scemd.org/.

The 2016 Constituent Hurricane Guide is here: http://www.scemd.org/planandprepare/preparedness/preparefor/26-guides-and-brochures/142-south-carolina-hurricane-guide.

For State Office closings, please visit: http://www.scemd.org/closings.

Shelter locations can be found here: http://www.scemd.org/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/241-shelters.

Please note that shelters cannot accommodate specific dietary restrictions, including allergies. Individuals should pack food accordingly.

County emergency management offices’ contact information can be found here: http://www.scemd.org/who-we-are/county-agencies. 

To verify whether you are located in an evacuation zone, please visit www.scemd.org and click, “Know your Zone,” to enter your home address. Evacuation details can be found here: http://www.governor.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx.

An interactive evacuation zone map at the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s website can be found here: http://www.scemd.org/component/content/article/11-home-page/news/155-know-your-zone.

Maps of coastal evacuation routes, including interactive and downloadable maps, and information about highways lane reversals are available at the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) website: http://www.scdot.org/getting/MatthewResources.aspx#content.

Evacuees should pack the following essential items in case the evacuation period is lengthy: required medications, adequate clothing, and essential personal items. Emergency shelter locations will be announced as soon as they are open.

Individuals and families should plan to board pets with veterinarians, kennels, or other facilities in non-vulnerable areas. Pets are not allowed in American Red Cross shelters. Identification and rabies tags should be attached to the pets’ collars.

If the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane watch, a hurricane will be possible within 48 hours, and residents who live in vulnerable areas should stay tuned. If a hurricane warning is issued, a hurricane is expected within 36 hours. If you live in a highly vulnerable area and are advised to evacuate, you should be prepared to leave immediately. The state urges individuals and families to do the following:

Everyone in South Carolina is urged to continue to monitor the developing forecasts from the National Hurricane Center through local news media and trusted sources online. Pay attention to emergency warnings from local and state public safety officials and take safety actions if instructed to do so.

South Carolina’s Emergency Response Team is operating 24-hours a day from the State’s Emergency Operations Center preparing for hazardous conditions associated with Hurricane Matthew.

For information concerning road conditions and closures, please visit the South Carolina Department of Transportation website here: http://www.dot.state.sc.us/getting/MatthewResources.aspx#content or call 511.

If you suspect price gouging, tweet pictures and documentation to @SCPriceGouging, call 803.737.3953 or email pricegouging@scag.gov. For more information, visit: http://www.scag.gov/archives/29113.

For more information follow @SCEMD on Twitter and Facebook.

If you have further questions, please email me directly at ombudsman@emd.sc.gov.

Sincerely,

Hal Peters

Office of the Governor