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Beaufort County hurricane guide

In Beaufort County, emergency management is run by the Emergency Management Division of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, which also runs the county 9-1-1 and non-emergency communications center. The county includes Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Port Royal, Beaufort, and the Sea Islands, and storm surge, wind, and flooding are the main hurricane threats. Evacuation orders follow the state evacuation zones, and only the governor can order a mandatory evacuation in South Carolina.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Division. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

What to know in Beaufort County

  • The Sheriff's Office says it will give real-time updates on whether a hurricane evacuation becomes mandatory through its social media platforms. Bridges: the state closes swing and draw bridges to boat traffic when sustained winds reach 25 mph or a mandatory evacuation is ordered.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
Emergency 911 Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
Emergency management office 843-255-4000 Beaufort County Emergency Management, listed in the Beaufort County phone directory. Not for emergencies.
Sheriff's Office non-emergency 843-524-2777 Beaufort County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line, answered 24 hours a day.
Road and traffic conditions (SC511) 511 Evacuation routes and road closures.

Official alerts and information

  • Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Storm Center: The Sheriff's Office page for emergency alerts, evacuations, shelters, and preparedness resources. Website.
  • Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Nixle alerts: Public safety messages from the Sheriff's Office. Sign up before a storm. Website.
  • 2026 South Carolina Hurricane Guide: The state guide that includes the zone lookup and the Beaufort County evacuation routes. Website.

Evacuation zones

Beaufort County uses the South Carolina evacuation zones. Open the state zone lookup to find your zone by address, and follow orders given by zone. Evacuation routes: Hilton Head Island traffic uses US 278 and the Cross Island Parkway, with a third lane formed by reversing the inside eastbound lane, and goes to I-95 or toward Hampton. Bluffton traffic uses SC 46 toward Hardeeville and then US 321. Beaufort traffic uses US 21 north to US 17, with a third lane formed under certain conditions. Follow posted signs and officers rather than a GPS app.

Look up your evacuation zone

Evacuation centers

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office says local shelter plans are limited: Red Cross shelters in Beaufort County have been offered only for tropical storms, and no shelters are planned in the county for a hurricane forecast to make landfall at Category 1 or stronger. Residents may be directed to shelters in other counties such as Hampton or Jasper. Plan to go to family, friends, or a hotel. Do not go to any site until officials announce it. Shelters do not allow pets other than service animals, according to the county page, which dates from 2021, so check current announcements. Special medical needs shelters: call the SC Department of Public Health at 855-472-3432.

Help to evacuate

  • Palmetto Breeze evacuation transportation: If you need a ride out during a mandatory evacuation, register in advance with Palmetto Breeze. Press option 1 and leave a message in English or Spanish. The county's pages also list 843-757-5782 as the evacuation hotline, so confirm the number on the Palmetto Breeze site. Phone: 843-757-8282. Website.
  • SC Department of Public Health special medical needs shelter line: For people who need a special medical needs shelter. Phone: 855-472-3432.

Cities and towns

Each city has its own services and some have their own alerts. The county's evacuation zones, evacuation centers, and emergency alerts cover everyone, in every city and in unincorporated areas.

Sources

Checked on October 8, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.