June 10, 2020
FEMA-4542-DR NR 016
FEMA News Desk: 877-568-9040
South Carolina News Desk: 803-737-8515
News Release
Hurricane Season Has Begun, Not Too Late to Prepare
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Hurricane season has begun. With more than 200 miles of coastline, South Carolina is one of the most vulnerable states in the nation to be impacted by hurricanes.
South Carolina residents can make a big difference later by preparing now. Below are simple steps they can take to prepare their family, property and businesses during the 2020 hurricane season.
- Create an emergency communication plan with your family. This plan spells out how everyone will contact each other, where to go and how to get back together.
- Build an emergency kit. Keep it ready at home, at work and in the car.
- Check your insurance coverage. Damage caused by flooding is usually not covered by home insurance policies. Buy flood insurance. To learn more about protecting your home, visit www.floodsmart.gov.
- Know your community’s evacuation plan, evacuation routes and how to receive alerts.
- Stay informed about current conditions. Listen to local officials and evacuation orders.
- Download an emergency weather app on your phone. Have backup power for your phone. Purchase a weather radio.
- Keep all important documents in a waterproof container to take with you if you evacuate.
- Ready.gov/hurricane and scemd.org provide helpful information on how to plan.
- Finished unfinished storm repairs. Your home could be more vulnerable to hurricane damage if repairs remain incomplete.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TDD call 800-462-7585.