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Richland County hurricane guide

Richland County Emergency Services runs emergency preparedness for the county, and the Columbia-Richland County Citizen Alert System covers both the county and the City of Columbia. Richland is an inland county, and the county's flood page warns that anywhere it rains, it can flood, and that standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. The county site did not post hurricane evacuation zones on the pages checked.

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 Richland County Emergency Services. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

What to know in Richland County

  • Report downed tree limbs and debris blocking roadways to 803-576-3439. Report a power outage to your utility: Dominion Energy 888-333-4465, Fairfield Electric Cooperative 800-499-7862, or Tri-County Electric Cooperative 877-874-1215.

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 803-576-3400 Richland County Emergency Services office. Not for emergencies.
Sheriff's Office non-emergency 803-576-3000 Richland County Sheriff's Department main line. For police matters that are not emergencies.
Road and traffic conditions (SC 511) 511 Evacuation routes and road closures.

Official alerts and information

  • Columbia-Richland County Citizen Alert System: Free alerts by phone call, text message, or email for your address. Sign up before a storm. Website.
  • Richland County Flooding information: Flood insurance, floodplain maps, and flood safety. Public Works floodplain line: 803-576-2400. Website.

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.

Richland County did not publish a standing list of hurricane shelters on the pages checked. Shelters open only when the county announces them, so do not go to a site until it is announced. Check the county's alerts and website for open shelters.

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.