DPH Observes National Hurricane Preparedness Week

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In advance of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is joining partners in observing National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 4-10) and South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Month.
“South Carolina is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and their impacts, and as we learned last year, no matter where you live in South Carolina, hurricanes can pose a serious threat to your safety,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim DPH director. “We encourage all South Carolinians to update their plans and make the necessary preparations in advance of each hurricane season to ensure they are not caught off guard if or when we experience severe weather events.” To prepare for a hurricane, DPH recommends all South Carolinians take the following steps:
While the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) serves as the primary coordinating agency during a weather emergency, DPH and other state agencies , as part of the State Emergency Response Team, perform critical roles that help protect residents and help the state recover from hurricanes and other disasters as quickly as possible. For those with medical equipment requiring electricity, or who need space for a hospital bed, DPH offers Medical Equipment Power Shelters (MEPS) — formerly known as Medical Needs Shelters — with generator power and extra space. Access these shelters by calling 833-351-9990, where transport arrangements can be made if needed. DPH also assists with pre-storm evacuation support and active monitoring of health care facilities during severe weather events and post-event recovery operations. In addition, DPH is part of the South Carolina Emergency Operations Center before, during and after emergencies, supporting a comprehensive emergency response. Residents are encouraged to download SCEMD’s official mobile app, SC Emergency Manager, on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. The mobile app contains links to many of the websites listed above as well as other useful tools and resources, and coastal residents can determine their evacuation zone based off their phone’s location or by entering an address. SCEMD also has a website dedicated to hurricane preparedness with additional information and resources at hurricane.sc and recently released its 2025 South Carolina Hurricane Guide. For more information on hurricane preparedness, including steps to take before, during and after a hurricane, visit DPH’s Hurricanes and Floods webpage. |