Georgetown County hurricane guide¶

The Georgetown County Emergency Management Department works with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, local responders, and community groups on disaster planning, response, and recovery. Georgetown County has three hurricane evacuation zones, A, B, and C, effective for 2024, based on storm surge potential, not wind speed. The county says that if you are ordered to evacuate, there is a real possibility of storm surge reaching your home.

What to know in Georgetown County¶

• Georgetown County says the main evacuation route is US 17 through Georgetown to US 521, then US 521 to SC 261 to US 378, then US 378 to Columbia. Under certain conditions an alternate route may be activated using Black River Road to US 701 to SC 51 (Browns Ferry Road) to US 378 at Kingsburg, then US 378 to Columbia.
• The county's flood zone and elevation certificate map covers unincorporated Georgetown County only. The City of Georgetown, Town of Pawleys Island, and Town of Andrews advise property owners to contact those towns directly for flood information.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Official alerts and information¶

• Georgetown County CodeRED: Free alerts by phone, text, or email. Sign up before a storm. The county page also notes a cybersecurity incident reported by the CodeRED vendor and tells residents who reuse passwords to change any passwords tied to CodeRED, and to keep several ways of getting warnings, such as Wireless Emergency Alerts and NOAA Weather Radio. Website.
• Georgetown County Hurricane Preparedness: The county's official hurricane information page. Website.
• SC Emergency Manager Know Your Zone: Look up your evacuation zone by address. Website.

Evacuation zones¶

Georgetown County has three hurricane evacuation zones for 2024. Zone A: areas east of US Highway 17 from the Charleston County line to the Horry County line. Zone B: areas east of Powell Road and US Highway 521 to Brick Chimney Road to North Fraser Street to Choppee Road to Plantersville Road, and all low-lying areas along and east of the Waccamaw River, Great Pee Dee River, and Black River to US Highway 17. Zone C: areas north and east of Johnson Road to Dunbar Road to Rose Hill Road to Choppee Road to Carvers Bay Road to Pleasant Hill Drive to North Fraser Street to the Horry County line, and areas west of Plantersville Road to Choppee Road to Brick Chimney Road. The Governor issues evacuation orders with local and state authorities, and the order names the zones that must leave. The county says leaving timing is set so evacuees can be clear of the zones before tropical storm force winds arrive. Evacuation routes: US 17 through Georgetown to US 521, then SC 261, then US 378 to Columbia, with an alternate that may be activated using Black River Road, US 701, SC 51, and US 378. If you plan to go somewhere other than Columbia, the county says to leave before the evacuation order. Re-entry: after a storm a damage assessment team checks the area. If damage is minor, county officials decide when people may return. If damage is major, the county gives property owners a time to visit, and owners need picture ID and a property title, tax receipt, or utility bill showing the address. Do not return until officials say it is safe.

Look up your evacuation zone

Evacuation centers¶

Georgetown County has identified emergency shelters throughout the county for hurricane and other events. Shelter locations are announced before opening, and the decision depends on the size of the event, so do not go to a site until it is announced as open. The county asks you to treat a shelter as a last resort and stay with family or friends outside the zones if you can. Pets are not allowed in emergency shelters, and items for infants or restricted diets may not be available. Bring a battery radio, ID and important papers, a week of prescriptions and toiletries, a flashlight, and batteries. Limited transportation to a shelter is available if you have no other way, and the county says to call emergency management to ask when it will begin.

Official list of open evacuation centers

Help to evacuate¶

• Shelter transportation: Call the county emergency management office to ask when limited transportation to a shelter will be available for people with no other way to get there. Phone: 843-545-3273. 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.

Related guides¶

• Should I evacuate?
• What to expect at a hurricane shelter
• Hurricane supply list
• After a hurricane: the first 24 hours
• Insurance claims and disaster aid

Sources¶

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

• https://www.gtcountysc.gov/250/Hurricane-Preparedness
• https://www.gtcountysc.gov/424/Flood-Protection
• https://www.gtcountysc.gov/247/Emergency-Management
• https://www.gcsheriff.org/
• https://www.511sc.org/
• https://www.gtcountysc.gov/404/CodeRED-Emergency-Alerts