SC Department of Environmental Services

Flooding is deadly — & preventable. *️⃣ 6” can knock over an adult *️⃣12” can carry a car *️⃣ 2’ can sweep away trucks Never drive around barricades. Never enter flood waters.

SCDES’ Bureau of Coastal Management has launched new tools to address abandoned & derelict vessels along SC’s coast. These vessels harm habitats, impact recreation & affect coastal views. Read more: bit.ly/4v8oqKG

Need help with Construction Stormwater ePermitting? 💻 SCDES can assist with accounts, certifier agreements, authorized users and application status. Call our Customer Support Line for help.

Director Myra Reece & Georgia EPD Director Jeff Cown co-hosted #ECOSSpring26. Govs Henry McMaster & Brian Kemp joined a discussion moderated by @ECOStates President Chris Wells, signing a collaboration commitment on water quality to support sustainable growth across state lines.

Governors Brian Kemp of Georgia and Henry McMaster of South Carolina sign a collaboration commitment on water quality and environment-economy nexus at #ECOSSpring26.

Ozone season is here! Apr 1–Sep 30, SCDES posts daily ozone forecasts so you can stay safe. ✅ High-ozone day tips: Go outside in morning/evening Reduce outdoor exercise 💨 Help reduce pollution: carpool, turn off idling, maintain vehicles Stay air-aware & protect your health!

Heads up beach goers! The National Weather Service in Charleston SC will resume the surf zone forecasts on April 1, 2026. Rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from the shore. If at all possible, stay near a lifeguard when swimming. weather.gov/chs

This week features above average temps with chances for rain or storms returning for midweek onward. #gawx #scwx

SCDES Director Myra Reece joined Jeff Cown, Director of Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division, to kick off #ECOSSpring26 in Savannah—bringing together 48 state leaders & 350 attendees to advance the Environment–Economy Nexus.

SCDES, PalmettoPride & SCDNR would like to remind you that if you SEE IT, REPORT IT. Illegally dumped tires are dangerous, unsightly, and hurt property values. Do your part to keep SC clean! If you see dumped tires, report them anonymously. 🔗 des.sc.gov/SeeItReportIt

Today, #ECOSSpring26 kicks off in Savannah on Environment-Economy Nexus! 48 State environmental agency leaders and nearly 350 attendees will explore ways to balance environmental protection and economic development with a focus on water, cooperative federalism, PFAS, AI, & more.

Which type of alert is more urgent: a thunderstorm watch or a thunderstorm warning? A thunderstorm watch being issued means that severe storms are possible in the area, while a thunderstorm warning means that severe weather is already happening in the area or is on the way soon.

Love SC’s coast. 🌊 Join SCDES’s Adopt-a-Beach Program! Host cleanups, track debris, and help protect our beaches. Sign up here: mycoast.org/sc/beach-clean…

SC Forestry Commission to issue statewide burning ban, effective at 4 p.m. today COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 4 p.m. today. A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state. The ban does not apply to fires used for the preparation of food or fires used in appropriate enclosures (portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas or permanent fire pits constructed of stone, masonry, metal or other noncombustible material that conforms with all applicable South Carolina fire codes). Forestry Commission officials say weather conditions over the next several days present a greatly elevated potential for fires igniting easily and spreading rapidly. Dangerously low relative humidities – reaching below 20% in some areas – combined with extremely dry fuels statewide and gusty winds will create a particularly volatile mix of wildfire risk factors throughout the weekend. "In addition to the intensifying drought conditions, the weather we’re going to see statewide over the next several days makes it ripe for any fire that starts to burn intensely and move fast,” SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones said. "While these conditions can make wildfires ignite easily anywhere and make it more challenging for firefighters to contain, we’re really concerned about areas where events like Hurricane Helene and recent ice damage have led to higher amounts of fuel. This burning ban is necessary to limit ignitions to the maximum extent possible to prevent severe wildfires for public safety purposes." The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission. Shareable link: scfc.gov/wp-content/upl…

A Red Flag Fire Alert remains in effect across South Carolina until further notice. Dry conditions and gusty winds are increasing the risk of wildfire, so avoid any outdoor burning or activities that could spark a fire. Learn how to protect yourself: scemd.org/prepare/types-…

Celebrating #WorldWaterDay! SCDES joined partners for hands-on fun, demos and STEAM activities, sharing water quality tips and updates on the State Water Plan. Together, we protect SC’s rivers, streams and watersheds!

SCDES & environmental partners launched an on-demand Living Shorelines course via Clemson Extension! Learn about benefits, regs, installation & monitoring from experts at SCDES, SC Sea Grant, DNR, Clemson, The Nature Conservancy & Coastal Conservation League. Register & learn!

The SCDES WIIN Grant program is a vital federal initiative to reduce lead exposure in childcare & school settings. There’s no "catch", just cleaner water. ✨Free testing ✨Expert analysis ✨Guidance and partnerships on remediation 📧 E-mail WIINGrant@des.sc.gov

Follow SCDES for updates, alerts, tips and stories protecting SC’s natural beauty 🌿 From storm prep to community wins, stay informed and inspired—hit follow today!

🚨 We’re Hiring! Join the team at SCDES and help make a real impact across our state. From protecting land and water to advancing technology and managing waste, there’s a role for your passion and skills at SCDES. 🖱️ Apply now at: careers.sc.gov