Governor Henry McMaster once again declared May to be South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Month, marking the third year of the declaration. Hurricane season begins June 1, making May a crucial time for preparations for South Carolina residents.
The State’s theme for Hurricane Preparedness Month is “Don’t Wait, Prepare Today”. This means that May is an opportunity for residents to take action now, ensuring they have the plans and resources needed to stay safe before hurricane season begins.
Hurricanes Debby and Helene impacted individuals throughout the state of South Carolina in 2024, demonstrating that those living well inland can be affected by the severe impacts of hurricanes as much as those living and working in Hurricane Evacuation Zones along the coast. Regardless of where you live, begin your hurricane preparations now and consider these tips to help keep you and your family safe.
Be Informed
- Know your hurricane risk. Whether you live on the coast or far inland, be aware of the impacts that rain, wind, water and even tornadoes can have on your location when a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall.
- Know your evacuation zone if you live on the coast. Find your zone on SCEMD’s Hurricane Guide.
- Have several ways to receive alerts:
- Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for emergency information and the latest weather reports.
- Sign up for CU Alerts, which provide emergency notifications to Clemson locations throughout the state.
- Sign up for alerts from your local emergency management office and be aware of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
- Follow trusted and reliable sources on social media, such as Clemson University Public Safety, your local NWS station, local news outlets and SCEMD.
Make a Plan
- For those living or working in evacuation zones, learn your nearest evacuation route, practice with your household and pets and identify where you will stay. Rely on the blue hurricane evacuation signs, not GPS.
- Keep your cell phone charged when a hurricane is in the forecast and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.
- Make sure everyone living in your residence knows and understands your hurricane plans. Include the office, kids’ daycare and anywhere else you frequent in your hurricane plans.
- Prepare your home for hurricane season:
- Conduct a safety check to ensure your home can withstand the effects of a hurricane.
- Get your roof inspected, de-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
- Confirm that your insurance policies cover the types of damage hurricanes can cause.
- Make a list and take photos of your belongings as records.
- Prepare for power outages. If you choose to utilize a generator, ensure you know how to do so properly.
Build a Kit
- Build a kit with enough supplies for your household for several days, including medication, disinfectant supplies and pet supplies.
- When building your kit, consider the unique needs of those living in your residence and tailor your kit accordingly.
- Be sure to include important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.
- Ready.gov/kit provides a checklist for your emergency kit.
Resources
- The South Carolina Hurricane Guide is a great resource to help you prepare for a hurricane with specific information and resources for South Carolinians.
- Ready.gov/Hurricanes provides a wealth of information and resources to guide your hurricane prep.
- The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) website provides specific information for SC residents, including preparedness info and consistent updates before, during and after a hurricane impacts SC.
- National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 4-10. Find information about each preparedness phase from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
What to know for Clemson faculty, staff and student workers
When inclement weather occurs in South Carolina, state government offices and their employees/student workers will follow the same weather hazard decisions made by county government officials where the state offices are located.
For faculty, staff and student workers, your supervisor is your first point of contact regarding expectations for work during a hazardous weather event. Review HR’s employee timekeeping and leave during hazardous weather guidance for more information.