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Charleston County hurricane guide

The Charleston County Emergency Management Department plans for hurricanes for the whole county, from the barrier islands and the Charleston peninsula to Edisto, Johns, and James islands and the I-26 corridor. Storm surge is the greatest hurricane threat on the coast. The county uses three evacuation zones, A, B, and C, and publishes a hurricane guide with evacuation routes, bus pickup points for people without transportation, and re-entry guidance.

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 Charleston County Emergency Management Department. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

What to know in Charleston County

  • People who live at home and need uninterrupted power for medical devices, medication refrigeration, or specialized beds can call the SC Department of Public Health triage line at 1-833-351-9990 to be considered for a Medical Equipment Power Shelter.
  • The county's re-entry and security plan is a draft revised in November 2017. The county guide says to return home only after local authorities say it is safe, to watch for downed power lines and flooded roads or bridges, and to ventilate and check for gas leaks and damage when you arrive.

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 843-746-3800 Charleston County Emergency Management Department. Not for emergencies.
Citizen information center (during emergencies) 843-746-3900 Charleston County Community Information Line. Active only during an emergency or Emergency Operations Center activation.
Sheriff's Office non-emergency 843-743-7200 For police matters that are not emergencies.
Road and traffic conditions (SC511) 511 Evacuation routes and road closures.

Official alerts and information

  • Charleston County Emergency Alert Program: Free alerts by phone, text, and email for severe weather, road closures, and evacuations. Sign up before a storm. Website.
  • Charleston County Hurricane Information: The county's official hurricane information page. Website.
  • Charleston County Hurricane Guide (PDF): Zones, evacuation routes, bus pickup points, shelters, and returning home. Also in Spanish. Website.

Evacuation zones

Charleston County has three evacuation zones, updated using new storm surge data from the National Hurricane Center. Zone A: areas in and around Edisto Island, the immediate coast including Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island, Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, and Dewees Island, and areas east of US-17 south to Buck Hall Recreation Area. Zone B: areas north of Mount Pleasant between Zone A and US-17, areas in and around Mount Pleasant, James Island, and Johns Island, and the southern part of the Charleston peninsula to Shipyard Creek. Zone C: areas between Highway 17 and the county line, areas north of Zone B along the I-26 corridor, and areas in and around West Ashley and behind Edisto, Johns, and James islands. Those who do not evacuate stay at their own risk, and emergency response may not be possible for a period of time. Lane changes on I-26 begin at the Nexton exit, Exit 197. Follow posted evacuation route signs rather than GPS apps. Evacuation routes: James Island and Folly Beach take Folly Road to US 17 and I-526 to I-26 west. Johns, Kiawah, Seabrook, and Wadmalaw islands go to US 17 and then SC 64 toward Walterboro. Mount Pleasant takes I-526 west to I-26 west. Isle of Palms takes SC 517 and US 17 north to Columbia. North Charleston takes Rivers Avenue to US 78 or US 52. West Ashley takes SC 61 to US 78 and I-20. Downtown takes I-26 west. Awendaw and McClellanville take SC 45 to US 52. See the county guide for the full list.

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.

Charleston County describes shelters as a place of last resort and asks people to have plans to stay with family or friends. The county page that lists shelters shows only shelters the county has announced, so check it and local media. You can also text shelter to 43362 and enter your ZIP code for a list of nearby shelters. Shelters are alcohol, drug, and weapon free, and you should bring comfort items, medications, and bedding. Do not go to a site until it is announced. If you do not have transportation, the county guide lists hurricane evacuation bus pickup points, marked with a blue sign, that take people to the nearest available shelter. Pickup locations may change, so follow local media.

Official list of open evacuation centers

Help to evacuate

  • SC Department of Public Health Care Line: Listed in the county hurricane guide for people who need medical help planning for a storm. For Medical Equipment Power Shelters, call 1-833-351-9990. Phone: 1-855-472-3432.
  • Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities: County guide for people with disabilities and access and functional needs. Website.

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.