Disaster Plus has over three decades of experience with Hurricanes. From Hugo to Charley, Gaston through Hanna, the 24/7 team at Disaster Plus is always on-call to assist the Lowcountry with the disaster recovery process from hurricanes, tropical storms, and other natural disasters. While we are ready to help you in the aftermath of a disaster which causes damage to your home or business, our first priority is ensuring the safety of residents of the Lowcountry (Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Daniel Island, West Ashley, Hanahan, North Charleston, Edisto Beach, Folly Beach, Awendaw, and beyond) during times of crisis. One of the first steps essential to adequately preparing for a natural disaster is knowing the SC coast’s hurricane evacuation routes.
Charleston County’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide
The information provided on this page is from Charleston County’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide. You should familiarize yourself with these hurricane evacuation routes as well as take a look at the maps provided by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). These maps are linked at the bottom of this page.
Identify Your Hurricane Evacuation Zone
- ZONE A
West of the Ashley River — Unincorporated areas of Charleston County from the Ashley River to the Colleton County line; Atlantic Ocean to the Dorchester County Line. This includes City of Folly Beach, Town of Hollywood, Town of Kiawah Island, Town of Meggett, Town of Ravenel, Town of Rockville, Town of Seabrook Island, James Island, Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Adams Run, Parkers Ferry, Wiltown, Yonges Island and all other unincorporated Charleston County in this area. - ZONE B
Central Charleston — From the tip of the Peninsula to Ladson Road; from the Ashley River to the Wando River. This includes City of Charleston, City of North Charleston, the Town of Lincolnville, Daniel Island, St. Thomas Island, and unincorporated Charleston County. - ZONE C
East of the Wando River — Unincorporated areas of Charleston County from the Atlantic Ocean to the Berkeley County line; Wando River to the Georgetown County line. This includes the Town of Mount Pleasant, Town of Isle of Palms, Town of Sullivan’s Island, Town of Awendaw, the Town of McClellanville, Dewees Island, Capers Island, and Goat Island. - ZONE D
Tidal River and Creeks/Southern Swamps – All properties along the Ashley River between Ashley River Road and Dorchester Road, from the Charleston County line to Bacons Bridge Rd. Properties that front the Sawmill Branch from Dorchester Road to Luden Road including Arbor Oaks, Sawbranch Apartments, Millbrook Apartments, and Creekside. Properties near Eagle Creek between Ladson Road and Parlor Road from Dorchester Road to the Charleston County line. Southeast portions of the county in the vicinity of Bear Swamp, Horse Savannah Swamp, Fishburne Creek, and Rantowles Creek including the Poplar Grove Community. All residents living in flood-prone areas or mobile/manufactured homes. - ZONE E
Sand Hills/North Charleston/Wescott/Oakbrook/Miles Jamison Areas – Properties east of US Highway 17A to Dorchester Road including Summers Corner and Clubhouse Crossroads. Properties east of Orangeburg Road and South of Miles Jamison Road to the Charleston County line including South Main Mobile Home Park, Newington Plantation, Woodland Estates, Oakbrook, Wood Oak Park, Wescott, and the City of North Charleston in Dorchester County. All residents living in flood-prone areas or mobile/manufactured homes. - ZONE F
The Cypress Swamp – Areas near the Cypress Swamp, the Edisto River, the Twin Lakes subdivision, and portions of The Ponds subdivision. All residents living in floodprone areas or mobile/manufactured homes. - ZONE G
Hanahan Goose Creek/Ladson/Summerville Whitesville/Pimlico/Cordesville Huger/Cainhoy/Wando - ZONE H
Shulerville, Honey Hill, Jamestown, Alvin
Choose the Hurricane Evacuation Route for Your Zone
Edisto Island and Adams Run Hurricane Evacuation Route
- Take SC 174 to US 17.
- Take US 17 south to SC 64. This will take you to Walterboro, and then to North Augusta.
Yonges Island, Meggett, Hollywood, and Ravenel Hurricane Evacuation Route
- Take SC 165 to US 17, then US 17 south to SC 64.
Johns Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island Hurricane Evacuation Route
- Johns Island takes SC 700 (Maybank Highway) to Road S-20 (Bohicket/Main Road) to US 17.
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands will take Road S-20 (Bohicket/Main Rd.) to US 17.
- Take US 17 south to SC 64 where you will go to Walterboro, then to North Augusta.
James Island and Folly Beach Hurricane Evacuation Route
- Take SC 171 (Folly Road) to US 17.
- Take US 17 south to I-526 east to I-26.
City of Charleston Hurricane Evacuation Route
- The west side of the city (West Ashley) will use SC 61 to US 78, US 321 and SC 389 to I-20 then to Aiken and North Augusta.
- Downtown will use the normal west-bound lanes of I-26.
- Daniel Island/Cainhoy residents (of Berkeley County) will use I-526 or Clements Ferry Road as conditions warrant.
North Charleston Hurricane Evacuation Route
- Take US 52 (Rivers Avenue) to US 78 to US 178 to Orangeburg, or continue on US 52 to US 176, or continue north on US 52.
- The right lane of US 52 at Goose Creek will continue towards Moncks Corner. In Moncks Corner, it will be directed onto SC 6, where SC 6 will take you toward Columbia.
- The left lane of US 52 at Goose Creek will go on to US 176 to Columbia.
- Evacuees using SC 642 will travel west toward Summerville, and then take Road S-22 (Old Orangeburg Road) to US 78 west.
East Cooper Hurricane Evacuation Route
- Mount Pleasant: Take I-526 west or US 17 south to I-26 west.
- Sullivan’s Island: Take SC 703 to I-526 Business to access I-526 west, and then take I-26 west.
- Isle of Palms: Take the Isle of Palms connector (SC 517) to go to US 17 where the right lane will turn north onto US 17. Next, proceed to take SC 41 to SC 402; then to US 52 to SC 375; then to US 521 to SC 261; and then US 378 to Columbia.
Note: Interstate reversal begins at the Nexton Exit starting in 2020
Awendaw and McClellanville Hurricane Evacuation Route
- Take SC 45 to US 52, where you will be directed to the right onto US 52 to SC 375; then to US 521 to SC 261; and then to US 378 to Columbia.
Other Useful Hurricane Evacuation Links
After deciding which hurricane evacuation routes to take, review Disaster Plus’ Hurricane Tips and check out our blog for the latest information about the storm and tips on how to best prepare for water, mold, and other damages that often occur in tandem with hurricanes.
