The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is monitoring Tropical Storm Hermine, which forecasters expect to strengthen.  As a result of the storm's projected movement up the east coast, key local and state agencies have been notified to be ready to respond if the need arises. 

South Carolina residents and visitors in potentially vulnerable areas should review their plans and consider actions they would need to take if the storm threatens the state. Everyone should monitor the storm via local news media and follow updates from the National Hurricane Center, especially people in low-lying areas along the South Carolina coast. 

'We're watching Tropical Storm Hermine very closely. There's still a lot of uncertainty in the forecasts,' SCEMD Director Kim Stenson said 'If it looks like this storm is going to affect South Carolina we want everyone to be ready. Now would be the time to review your emergency plans just in case.'

A dangerous by-product of a storm can be heavy flooding, as was the case last year in South Carolina.  Although the current storm is not expected to cause flooding as extensive as last year's, any flood waters can be extremely dangerous and destructive.  Never walk or drive through flood waters. Remember that floods can disrupt electricity and the drinking water supply. Flood waters can also carry hazardous materials that can endanger health, either upon contact with the water itself or with the soggy debris left after the flood waters recede.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division will continue to monitor the tropical storm 24-hours-a-day.  Should conditions merit further action, the State Emergency Operations Center near Columbia can be staffed and operational in a short time.

The official 2016 S.C. Hurricane Guide is available at all South Carolina Welcome Centers, at Walgreen's stores statewide and for download via SCEMD's website at scemd.org. Follow the Division's social feeds for @SCEMD content posted in your newsfeeds:  facebook.com/SCEMD,  twitter.com/SCEMD and others.