South Carolina updates coastal hurricane evacuation zones as season nears

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – South Carolina’s emergency management leaders are refreshing the state’s coastal evacuation zones ahead of hurricane season.

State and local emergency management officials joined Governor Henry McMaster and law enforcement in North Charleston on Thursday morning to unveil the new evacuation zones. It’s the first major change to the zones in roughly 10 years.

Officials said the update better reflects the “evolving landscape of potential hazards” and population distribution across the region. Storm surge risk, flooding susceptibility, and best routes to ensure an effective evacuation effort were top factors in planning the new zones.

Evacuation zones are categorized ‘A’ through ‘F’ with areas in red designated as the highest risk.

Areas along the immediate coast, including the barrier islands, are listed in Zone A. West Ashley, the peninsula, Mount Pleasant and Daniel Island are in Zone B. Portions of North Charleston and areas of Wando and the Francis Marion National Forest along US 17 are in Zone C.

State and local officials will announce evacuations by the designated zone based on the severity of approaching storms.

A lane reversal exercise will take place on June 5 along I-26.

Hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs through November 30.