Be prepared for severe weather and hurricane season in South Carolina!
Do you have a plan ready in the event of weather-related emergencies? The Alzheimer's Association is here to help caregivers take measures to prepare for and cope with such extraordinary circumstances.
Call us 24/7: 800.272.3900
Local offices may close in dangerous weather conditions, but our Helpline is available 24/7. Our staff is available to provide counseling and support to help families plan ahead for emergencies.
SC hurricance info
Check out the South Carolina Hurricane Guide and latest updates from the SC Emergency Management Division.
Plan ahead
Prepare an Emergency Kit.
In a waterproof container or bag, pack:
- Copies of important documents, such as legal papers, a list of medications and dosages, and insurance information
- Several sets of extra clothing
- Extra medication
- Incontinence products
- A recent picture of the person with dementia
- Bottled water
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Favorite items or foods
- Extra batteries for hearing aids, extra eyeglasses, etc
Enroll your loved one in MedicAlert® with 24/7 Wandering Support.
The Alzheimer’s Association, in collaboration with MedicAlert Foundation, provides membership plans with 24/7 Wandering Support, a nationwide emergency response service for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. If a member wanders and is missing, one phone call immediately activates MedicAlert’s Emergency Response Team to help reunite the person living with dementia with his or her family. Members can choose from a variety of ID products, including bracelets and necklaces.
Make a plan and discuss it with family.
We suggest downloading The Calm Before the Storm: Family Conversations about Disaster Planning, Caregiving, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. It offers new research and life-saving tips to help caregivers, family and friends of those with Alzheimer’s disease who live at home prepare for a natural disaster and get their lives back on track in the aftermath.
Tune in to stay up-to-date.
The following radio stations are key participants in the Emergency Alert System and the South Carolina Educational Radio Network. These stations broadcast emergency information throughout the state, as do numerous other radio and television stations.
Tip - consider taking screenshots so you can access this information if you lose internet connectivity.
Evacuating and finding shelter.
Before heading to a public shelter, first consider staying with family and friends or in a hotel out of the evacuated area.
News media will often be your first and best source of information on evacuations, shelter openings, and other important information. During an evacuation, pay attention to emergency alerts via media and road signs for information about the nearest open shelter in case you need it.
If you plan to evacuate to a shelter, you should want to carry the supplies listed in your Emergency Kit, plus blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and cots and special foods, if needed.
Do not leave the person with dementia alone. When appropriate, share your loved one's diagnosis with others, such as hotel or shelter staff, so they can better assist. Try to stay together or with a group; it only takes a moment to get lost.
Get more caregiver tips for planning for emergencies.
Additional Resources
SC Emergency Management Division:
Check out their app for on-the-go tools and resources, including a planning checklist and weather-related closures. Get the SC Hurricane Guide, plus view evacuation routes, shelters, and current road conditions.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
American Red Cross
Local Red Cross Chapters:
North Charleston, SC - 843.764.2323
Columbia, SC - 803.540.1200
Rock Hill, SC - 803.329.6575
Myrtle Beach, SC - 843.477.0020
Greenville, SC - 864.271.8222