Columbia, SC – South Carolina residents are being urged to prepare today as Gov. Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency ahead of a tropical disturbance expected to impact the entire state.
According to McMaster, the emergency declaration will allow South Carolina officials to quickly mobilize personnel and resources to respond to the storm. While forecasters say the system’s exact path and intensity remain uncertain, the governor warned that residents should expect “significant wind, heavy rainfall, and flooding” across all regions of the state.
“This is the time to start paying attention to forecasts, updates, and alerts from official sources and begin making preparations,” McMaster said in a statement released Friday.
The tropical disturbance is projected to affect coastal areas first before moving inland, bringing widespread rain that could trigger flash flooding in low-lying communities. Emergency management officials are reminding residents to secure property, review evacuation routes, and stock up on essential supplies.
South Carolina has faced similar storm threats in recent years, with past tropical systems causing extensive damage to homes, roads, and utilities. The governor noted that the state’s emergency infrastructure is prepared to respond as conditions worsen.
Officials stress that residents should monitor updates from the National Weather Service and South Carolina Emergency Management Division throughout the weekend.
