The South Carolina coast has been struck by hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes many times in the past and will likely be many more times in the future. The SCSGEP develops and conducts education programs that contribute to natural hazards awareness and help reduce hazard-induced human, economic, and environmental costs. Contact: Robert.Bacon@scseagrant.org

Examples of How We Work:

Study of Insured Property Losses

In the periods after Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, the SCSGEP supported research on insurance loss records to uncover the principal causes of wind-related insured property losses. This work helped the insurance industry learn what kind of damages produced large loss claims -- and that much of it can be greatly reduced or prevented. It also stimulated research into effective ways to make low rise buildings more resistant to hazard damages.

Development of Low-Cost and Self-Help Retrofit Techniques for Reduction of Damage and Losses in Severe Wind Storms.

This researcher's focus has been on the elements of the building envelope: the roof, windows and door openings. Research-developed methods and materials have been used in SCSGEP education programs and by the Florida Department of Community Affairs' Residential Construction Mitigation Program.

113 Calhoun St.: A Multi-Hazard, Residential, Retrofit Mitigation Project

At 113 Calhoun St., the SCSGEP is helping homeowners, builders, and architects learn how to build and retrofit homes to be more resistant to wind, flood, and earthquake. The project provides a way for research-based information on hazard resistant building techniques to get from the laboratory to the community. A partnership of the Sea Grant Consortium, Clemson University, and the City of Charleston, the project receives principal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A Project Impact partner in Charleston County, 113 Calhoun St. received the 1998 John R. Shaeffer Award for "Excellence in Flood Proofing" from the Association of State Flood Plain Managers, a national organization of flood management professionals.

Visit the 113 Calhoun Street Web site: www.113calhoun.org

The S.C. Hazard Mitigation Roundtable

Co-founded by the SCSGEP in 1996, the Roundtable seeks to improve idea exchange and the flow of information on hazards and hazard mitigation efforts within the state's public and private sectors. It is a rotating, bimonthly discussion of hazard-related issues, opportunities, and interests. Membership includes academics, state agency representatives, town managers, building code officials, local flood plain managers, county planners, and local emergency response officials.

The S.C. Association for Hazard Mitigation This private, non-profit association is a direct outgrowth of the S.C. Hazard Mitigation Roundtable. It was organized by Roundtable participants as the state chapter of the Association of State Flood Plain Managers. The SCSGEP has had a leadership role on the association's board and in developing the educational program for its annual conferences.

HazNet.org

HazNet.org is the National Sea Grant Coastal Hazards network homepage. HazNet provides information on Coastal Natural Hazards by providing science-based information to individuals, businesses, and local and state government.

Find out how Sea Grant programs nationwide are working together to better understand coastal natural hazards and develop ways to reduce their impacts on lives, property, and coastal economies. You'll also find illustrations of natural hazards, courtesy of the National Geographic Society, and links to materials for students and teachers of grades k-12.

S.C. Dept. of Transportation
Coastal Evacuation Routes Map

The maps on this SCDOT site are in PDF format. They provide evacuation routes for coastal South Carolina in the event of a hurricane. You may choose PDF maps of the entire coastal region, northern region, central region, southern region, or a close-up on the Charleston area.

NOAA Coastal Services Center: Storm Data Resource Guide

Hazards-Related Publications