Hurricanes and tropical storms threaten the entire state of South Carolina, not just the cities and towns along the coast. 

Hurricanes and tropical storms frequently produce widespread torrential rains in excess of six inches, leading to deadly and destructive floods. Storm-related flooding is a major threat for inland areas of the state.

Meanwhile, hurricane-force winds can destroy buildings and devastate mobile homes. Winds from hurricanes often create projectiles out of outdoor items and debris, creating significant property damage and grave danger for anyone caught outside. What’s more, hurricanes and tropical storms can spawn dangerous tornadoes that pose additional dangers. 

Whether you live along the coast of South Carolina or well inland, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane in order to protect your home and family. 

What to Do before, during, and after a Hurricane

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division shares what South Carolina residents should do before, during, and after a hurricane hits. 

Before the Storm

• Understand your vulnerability to the storm. A storm surge may extend beyond coastal areas, but hurricanes also bring high winds, tornadoes, heavy rains, and flooding to inland areas. Know your risk for all of these. 
• Plan an evacuation route. Be prepared to drive at least 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place, and understand the evacuation requirements of your community.
• Plan to take your pets with you or make arrangements for them. Pets are not allowed in most public shelters. 
• Fill up the gas tanks in all of your vehicles and make sure they’re all in good working order. 
• Turn off the gas, electricity, and water in your home. 
• Stay tuned to your local television and radio stations for emergency information. 
• Charge your cell phone and mobile devices, and have your chargers on hand. 

During the Storm 

• Stay tuned to your local television and radio stations for emergency information. Be sure to keep a battery-operated radio or television for use during power outages. 
• Stay inside of a well-constructed building away from the windows and the doors, even if they are covered. Go to an interior first-floor room, closet, or under the stairs. 
• Be alert for tornadoes. 
• As the eye of the storm passes over your area, understand that the severe conditions will return with winds that come from the other direction. 
• Limit non-emergency calls and keep calls brief to minimize any network congestion. Wait at least 10 seconds before redialing a call. For non-emergencies, try sending text messages from your mobile device. 
• Once the storm passes, be patient. You will most likely not be able to return home right away. 

After the Storm 

• You likely won’t be able to return to your home immediately. Some areas may be inaccessible even after the evacuation order is rescinded. Return home only after local authorities inform you that it is safe. Continuously monitor local radio and TV for the latest information. 
• Avoid downed and sagging power lines. Report them immediately to the utility company, police department, or fire department. 
• Be aware of any driving restrictions in your neighborhood or town. Never try to drive around or move barricades. 
• Avoid flooded or washed-out roadways and bridges. 
• If you can return home, use caution when entering your home. 
• Open the windows and doors to ventilate and dry out your home if you have water damage. 
• Dispose of spoiled foods in the refrigerator.
• Watch out for snakes, insects, and other animals that are driven to higher ground by floodwater. 
• Do not use candles or open flames indoors. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave your home. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can, and call to report the leak to your utility provider. If you turn off the gas for any reason, a professional must turn it back on. 
• Look for electrical damage. If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if you smell something burning, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Don’t step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker; call an electrician instead.
• Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid water from the tap. 
• Take pictures of any damage. This will help quantify and expedite your insurance claims. Call your insurance agent or company as soon as possible to begin the claims process. 

How to Prepare Your House for a Hurricane

Preparing before the storm hits is one of the best ways to prevent or minimize the damage that a hurricane can cause.

Fortify Your Roof

Roof damage is the biggest reason for insurance claims after hurricanes. If your roof is damaged, water can get in and soak the insulation, which can lead to ceiling collapse and damage to your furniture and other belongings. If your roof blows off entirely, the likelihood of your walls collapsing and complete destruction of your home is greater. 

Here are some things you can do to help fortify your existing roof:

• Nail or caulk loose roof tiles or shingles
• Check for rust and loose anchoring on metal roofs
• Install hurricane straps
• Brace the ends of all gables
• Install a backup water barrier under the roof cover

Fortify Windows and Doors

Broken windows and doors allow the wind and rain inside, damaging the interior of your home. In addition, once the wind gets inside it will apply upward pressure on the roof, increasing the likelihood of it blowing off. 

Hurricane-resistant window and door coverings can include various types of shutters, screens, panels and sheeting as well as impact resistant windows and doors. You need to protect windows, sliding patio doors, entry doors and garage doors. 

For windows, permanent storm shutters offer the best protection. If that is not the right option for you, simply taping the windows will not work. Use 5/8-inch thick marine plywood cut to fit and ready to install to board up your windows in advance of a storm. 

Prepare Your Yard

Much of the damage caused by a hurricane is from flying debris. Common outdoor items can be picked up and thrown by the wind, so don’t forget to prepare your yard. 

• Keep trees and shrubs well trimmed
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down

How to Prepare Your Apartment for a Hurricane

Living in an apartment presents some unique challenges. You not only have to prepare your own living space, but in some ways you’re equally reliant on your landlord and your neighbors to work together to make sure that everyone takes the necessary precautions. 

Your apartment home should be in good condition and should be a safe place for you to shelter. The following tips from FEMA will help you prepare your South Carolina apartment for a hurricane. 

• Bring in any outdoor furniture, planters, and other items from patios and balconies
• Get hurricane shutters or panels for your sliding glass doors and windows
• Identify your safest room (often an interior bedroom, bathroom, or hallway) and use that for your shelter 

Additional steps that South Carolina apartment residents can take to stay safe before, during, and after a hurricane include:

• Stock up on supplies
• Steer clear of windows
• Get to know your neighbors
• Establish an emergency fund
• Park your car in a safe area

It’s important for renters to regularly evaluate their renters insurance policies in order to understand their hurricane coverage and make any necessary changes. 

How to Prepare Your Car for a Hurricane 

With so much to do to prepare for a hurricane, it’s possible that you’ll forget to make sure that your vehicle is safe and secure. Here are some tips for how to prepare your car for a hurricane in South Carolina: 

• Fill up the gas tank or charge the battery. Whether you’ve got a traditional gas-powered vehicle or an electric, make sure it has enough fuel or a charged battery before the storm. Top off some extra gas cans, too.  
• Complete routine maintenance. Check your oil, wipers, and tires, and make sure you take care of any outstanding maintenance concerns. 
• Park somewhere safe. Parking your car safely in your garage is the best way to go if you have that option. You might want to park facing out so you can make an easy exit and more easily avoid debris after the storm.
• Take photos and protect your documents. Take photos of your vehicle inside and out before the hurricane to make it easier to file any damage claims. Put all of your ownership, registration, and insurance papers in a waterproof container along with all of your other important documents.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage in South Carolina?

Hurricanes are a real cause of concern for South Carolina homeowners, and they also make insuring your home more complicated, and unfortunately more expensive. 

Hurricanes can cause a variety of different types of damage to your home. The most common damages to your home from a hurricane or tropical storm are caused by:

• Wind 
• Heavy rainfall
• Flooding
• Storm surge
• Tornadoes
• Sewer backup 

Coverage for Wind Damage

Most standard homeowners insurance policies in South Carolina usually cover windstorm damage directly caused by wind or hail. But you should still check your policy to make sure that it does not include a windstorm exclusion. 

If windstorm damage is excluded, you can obtain coverage through the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association, or the Wind Pool. The Wind Pool operates in certain coastal areas of South Carolina, and insures properties where the homeowner has not been able to find coverage elsewhere for windstorm and hail damage from any type of windstorm, including hurricanes. 

Your independent insurance agent can help you. 

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, your South Carolina homeowners insurance may include a hurricane deductible or a wind deductible. A hurricane deductible is separate from your primary home insurance deductible, and is a percentage of your home’s insured value, rather than a pre-determined flat dollar figure. 

Hurricane or windstorm deductibles apply only when your home has been damaged by a designated event. They are typically 1% to 5% of the home’s insured value, so if your home is insured for $250,000 and you have a 2% hurricane deductible, you would have to pay the first $6,250 to repair damage to your home before your insurance coverage kicks in. 

Insurers in South Carolina are required to notify residential policyholders if their policy contains separate hurricane or wind deductibles. If you do have a hurricane or wind deductible, then your insurance company must provide an example that depicts how the deductible functions. The insurer must also include a clear explanation of the event(s) that will trigger the deductible, such as the declaration of a named storm. 

Coverage for Flood Damage

Your South Carolina homeowners insurance does not provide coverage for damage to your home and property due to floods, including flooding caused by hurricanes. Rather, you can get flood insurance offered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federal program created by Congress in 1968 to help homeowners protect themselves from the financial devastation of floods. Homeowners, renters, condo owners, and business owners can buy NFIP flood insurance. 

How Can an Agent Help Me Prepare My House for a Hurricane

Insurance experts recommend that you undergo a complete insurance checkup every year before hurricane season. Your South Carolina homeowners insurance may contain a separate hurricane deductible that is a percentage of your home’s insured value, rather than a flat dollar figure like your primary insurance deductible.

Your independent insurance agent can help you review your policy, understand your coverage and your deductibles, and can even help you prepare a home inventory before the storm hits. A local independent agent understands South Carolina residents and how to help before and after a hurricane hits.