South Carolina hurricane evacuation exercise scheduled for Wednesday, June 4

COLUMBIA, S.C. — If you are travelling between the South Carolina coast and the Columbia area/Midlands on Wednesday do not be surprised to see a large amount of Highway Patrol and local sheriff’s deputies deployed along major interstate and highways. Multiple state government and law enforcement agencies will be conducting their annual full-scale hurricane evacuation exercise from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. June 4.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will be working with the Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol, SCHP), Emergency Management Division, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Commission, Civil Air Patrol, Army National Guard and local sheriffs and police from points along the coast (Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Charleston) to Columbia. 

Although no traffic lanes will actually be reversed during this exercise, motorists should be aware of the increased presence of law enforcement and SCHP cautions those traveling in along I-26, U.S. 501, and S.C. 544 as well as U.S. 278 and U.S. 21 to use caution in the area.

In the Hilton Head and Beaufort areas, the exercise will simulate reversal operations on US 278 and US 21.SCDOT equipment will be stationed on U.S. 278 from Almeda to Hampton in Hampton County. Law enforcement personnel and traffic control devices will be deployed along Interstate 26 from the intersection of the 197 mm (Nexton Parkway) and I-26 in Charleston to I-77 and I-26 in Columbia. Traffic control equipment and personnel will be stationed on U.S. 501 beginning at S.C. 544 and ending at U.S. 378 as well as between S.C. 22 and the Marion By-Pass. The Civil Air Patrol, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Forestry Commission will be flying assigned aerial surveillance routes.

“Forecasts are pointing to an active hurricane season,” said SC Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson. “Hurricane Helene was a reminder that it only takes one storm to cause major impacts for South Carolina. It’s critical for everyone – not only people who live along the coast – to review and practice their hurricane plans now.”

It always helps to familiarize yourself with Hurricane Evacuation routes, denoted by blue-and-white signage along highways and secondary roads throughout the state.

For more information about the upcoming hurricane season, visit the SC Emergency Management Division’s website: Hurricane.SC and download the SCEMD Emergency Manager app to stay up-to-date during hurricane season. For the latest weather forecasts and weather impact alerts, download the free WLTX app