FEMA said it is ready to support states along the Southeast coast after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency ahead of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.
The National Response Coordination Center in Washington, along with regional centers in Atlanta and Philadelphia, is activated to manage requests for federal aid. More than 100 FEMA personnel, including Incident Management Assessment Teams and Federal Coordinating Officers, are deployed, with Urban Search and Rescue task forces pre-positioning as needed.
FEMA liaisons are embedded with state operations from Florida to North Carolina and are coordinating with transportation and fuel industry partners to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Officials urged residents to familiarize themselves with evacuation zones, create communication plans, stockpile several days’ worth of supplies, and monitor local alerts.
The system could bring storm surge, heavy rain and flooding across parts of Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. State and local agencies remain the lead for preparedness and response, with FEMA supporting missions that exceed local capacity.
In Charleston, the city outlined steps to reduce flood risk and ease parking for residents. Self-serve sandbag distribution will run Sunday, Sept. 28, and Monday, Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hampton Park, Bayview Soccer Complex and 1662 Ingram Road.
Residents are asked to bring shovels and take only what they need.
Free storm parking for City of Charleston residents begins Monday at noon at the Visitor’s Center, 99 WestEdge and Charleston Tech Center garages. Cars only are permitted, and final exit times, as well as any added garages, will be announced on city channels and posted at entrances.
City crews are clearing drains and ditches, staging pumps and barricades, and lowering water levels at Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer. Residents are reminded to never drive through standing water, secure outdoor items, and follow National Weather Service updates.