Full-Scale Hurricane Evacuation Exercise Set for June 10, 2026

MEDIA: If you would like to speak with a trooper before or during this exercise, please call the Highway Patrol Media Line at 803-896-8144 and request an interview prior to Tuesday, June 9 at 5 p.m.

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety and the South Carolina Department of Transportation, along with partners from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division and other State Emergency Response Team members, will conduct a full-scale hurricane evacuation exercise on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., to test lane reversal plans for all three major coastal areas of the state. Please note that no traffic lanes will actually be reversed during this exercise.

This hurricane evacuation exercise is designed to test lane reversal plans for Interstate 26, U.S. 21, U.S. 278, U.S. 501, and S.C. 544 in the event of a coastal evacuation order. Personnel and equipment from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and the South Carolina Department of Transportation will be deployed. Additional support is provided by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the Civil Air Patrol and the South Carolina Army National Guard.

"Working with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and other state emergency response partners, we will conduct our annual hurricane evacuation exercise to strengthen our operational readiness," SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV said. "This drill tests our plans, communication systems, and inter-agency coordination to ensure that we stand ready to quickly and safely move coastal residents and visitors to the Midlands if a hurricane threatens the state and a mandatory evacuation is ordered."

The exercise will simulate reversal operations on U.S. 278 and U.S. 21. The deployment of equipment and personnel will be made on these roads leading out of Hilton Head and Beaufort. 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.

"Hurricane preparedness starts long before a storm is in the forecast. Preparing now by creating a plan, assembling an emergency kit, and staying informed can make a significant difference when severe weather impacts South Carolina," South Carolina Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson said.

Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell expressed the importance of planning and preparation for potential hurricane evacuations:

"Preparing for hurricane season requires strong coordination and constant readiness," Powell said. "SCDOT is proud to work alongside SCDPS and our emergency response partners during this annual exercise to help ensure South Carolina is ready to move residents safely and efficiently when severe weather threatens our state."

As a reminder, the exercise will not interfere with the flow of traffic. Intersections will NOT be blocked, and motorists will be allowed to move freely. However, the South Carolina Highway Patrol cautions motorists traveling I-26, U.S. 501, and S.C. 544 as well as U.S. 278 and U.S. 21 to exercise caution and be aware that law enforcement officers and state personnel will be located on the shoulder of the highway and at exits.

Hurricane season began June 1 and ends November 30. For more information about the preparations for hurricane season, visit the SC Emergency Management Division's website: Hurricane.SC and download the SC Emergency Manager app to stay up-to-date during hurricane season. View and download the South Carolina Emergency Management Division's 2026 Hurricane Guide.

Additional Resources

Hurricane Traffic Management Information from the SC Emergency Management Division

Know Your Route PSA from the SC Department of Public Safety

Evacuation Routes from the SC Department of Transportation

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.