Alerts & Updates

Receive Emergency Alerts

Georgetown County residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up to receive emergency information (such as boil water notifications and other vital information for their area) through the CodeRED notification system. Choose to receive information via phone, text message or email.

Emergency Contact Information

  • Georgetown County Information Hotline (for the latest storm information): 843-545-3900, available 24 hours a day when the county's Emergency Operations Center is activated.
  • Georgetown County Emergency Management: 843-545-3273
  • South Carolina Department of Transportation Information: 888-877-9151 Toll Free
  • Shelter Information: 866-246-0133 Toll Free

Radio

  • Charleston - WIWF 96.9 FM
  • Charleston - WEZL 103.5 FM
  • Myrtle Beach - WYAV 104.1 FM
  • Myrtle Beach - WLFF 106.5 FM
  • Georgetown - WGTN 1400 AM

Understanding Hurricane Watches & Warnings

Tropical Storm Watch

An announcement that tropical storm conditions with sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning

An announcement that tropical storm conditions with sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours.

Hurricane Watch

An announcement that hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

Hurricane Warning

An announcement that hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected somewhere within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

Common Terms

  • Evacuation - Is mandated by the Governor for requiring evacuation of everyone within a certain evacuation zone.
  • Tropical Depression - Is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is 38 mph or less.
  • Tropical Storm - Is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed ranges from 39-73 mph.
  • Hurricane - Is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is 74 mph or higher.
  • Storm Surge - An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide.