Preparedness & Emergency Resources
Your local preparedness hub for hurricanes, flooding, severe weather, power outages, and emergency resources across Summerville and the Lowcountry.
Find trusted guides, local contacts, checklists, and practical information to help you prepare before, during, and after an emergency.
Choose the preparedness resource that best matches what you need today.
Don’t wait for an emergency to happen. Build your emergency kit today so your family has the essentials—water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents—when they matter most.
Prepare before, during, and after hurricanes, severe weather, tornadoes, and other emergencies with local checklists, trusted resources, and practical guidance.
Learn how to choose the right generator, operate it safely, prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and keep your home powered during an outage.
Find outage reporting links, food safety guidance, charging tips, backup power information, and local utility resources to help you stay safe when the power goes out.
Learn how to prepare for flash flooding, avoid flooded roads, protect your property, and find local flood maps, alerts, and recovery resources.
Learn what to do before, during, and after an earthquake, understand South Carolina’s seismic history, and prepare your home and family for the unexpected.
Quickly find emergency management offices, utility providers, hospitals, shelters, poison control, and other important contacts for the Lowcountry.
OFFICIAL EMERGENCY RESOURCES
When severe weather threatens, accurate information matters. These trusted local, state, and national organizations provide official forecasts, alerts, evacuation information, and emergency updates.
Track hurricanes, tropical weather, official forecasts, advisories, and storm outlooks directly from the National Hurricane Center.
View local forecasts, radar, watches, warnings, and severe weather alerts for Summerville and the Lowcountry from the Charleston forecast office.
Access official South Carolina emergency alerts, evacuation information, preparedness guidance, and disaster recovery resources.
Official emergency information, preparedness resources, shelter updates, and recovery guidance for Dorchester County residents.
Official emergency information, preparedness resources, shelter updates, and recovery guidance for Berkeley County residents.
Find emergency shelter information, disaster relief services, preparedness resources, recovery assistance, and family reunification support.
PREPAREDNESS BASICS
Every emergency is different, but the fundamentals of preparedness stay the same. Start with these three simple steps, then explore our complete Storm & Disaster Prep Guide for detailed checklists, planning resources, and practical guidance.
Have enough food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and other essentials to support your household for several days.
Know where you’ll go, how you’ll communicate, and what to do if your family becomes separated during an emergency.
Monitor trusted forecasts, emergency alerts, and local guidance before, during, and after severe weather.
Explore our complete Storm & Disaster Prep Guide for printable checklists, planning resources, emergency supply lists, and practical preparedness advice designed for the Lowcountry.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Find quick answers to some of the most common preparedness questions for Lowcountry residents, from building an emergency kit to understanding hurricane season.
The best place to start is by building a basic emergency kit with enough food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and other essentials to support your household for several days. Once you have a kit, create a family emergency plan and stay informed through trusted weather and emergency management sources.
Related: Emergency Kit Guide →
Most emergency management agencies recommend keeping enough supplies for at least three days, though preparing for five to seven days provides additional peace of mind during extended power outages or severe weather events. Your emergency kit should include water, non-perishable food, medications, hygiene items, batteries, flashlights, and supplies for pets.
Related: Emergency Kit Guide →
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with the greatest activity typically occurring from August through October. Even before a storm is forecast, it’s important to have your emergency kit ready and review your family’s emergency plan.
Related: Storm & Disaster Prep Guide →
Always follow instructions from local emergency management officials. Evacuation orders are issued based on storm conditions, flooding risks, and public safety. If your area is under a mandatory evacuation order, leave as early as possible and follow recommended evacuation routes.
Related: Storm & Disaster Prep Guide →
Plan for at least one gallon of water per person, per day for drinking and sanitation. Most families should aim to store enough water for three to five days, with additional supplies for pets and anyone with special medical needs.
Related: Emergency Kit Guide →
While every situation is different, preparing for three to five days without electricity is a good starting point. Have flashlights, batteries, portable chargers, non-perishable food, and safe ways to stay informed if power and internet service are interrupted.
Related: Power Outages Guide →
Every emergency kit should include water, non-perishable food, medications, a first aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, phone chargers, hygiene supplies, important documents, cash, and supplies for children and pets if needed.
Related: Emergency Kit Guide →
Always rely on trusted sources for weather forecasts, emergency alerts, evacuation information, and disaster updates. The National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, and your county emergency management office provide the most accurate and up-to-date information during emergencies.
Shelter locations vary depending on the emergency. Local emergency management agencies announce shelter openings through official websites, social media, local news, and emergency alerts. Never assume a shelter will be open before an emergency—always verify through official sources.
No. Lowcountry Ready is a community preparedness resource created by What’s Up Summerville. We organize trusted preparedness information, local resources, and helpful guides to make emergency planning easier for our community. During an active emergency, always follow instructions from official emergency management agencies and public safety officials.
TRUSTED LOCAL SERVICES
When severe weather strikes, trusted local businesses can help you recover faster. Browse companies offering disaster recovery, roofing, tree removal, electrical work, plumbing, generators, and other essential services for the Lowcountry.
ONE LAST THING
When severe weather is approaching, it isn’t the time to wonder where the flashlights are or whether you have enough water.
Spend a few minutes preparing today so you can spend more time protecting what matters most when an emergency happens.
