South Carolina Marks 10 Years Since Historic 2015 Flooding

Columbia, S.C. – October 2025 marks ten years since the historic flooding event that devastated much of South Carolina. The October 2015 flood remains one of the most widespread disasters in the state’s history, prompting a major disaster declaration in 36 counties and leading to long-term changes in how South Carolina prepares for and responds to emergencies.

The flood event, which occurred between Oct. 1 and 5, 2015, caused widespread flooding across much of South Carolina. All-time rainfall records were shattered from the Midlands to the coast, with totals ranging from 10 inches to more than 26 inches.

Nineteen people died, more than 20,000 residents were displaced, and nearly 50 dams failed or were breached. At the height of the disaster, emergency crews conducted more than 1,500 water rescues, and over 500 roads and bridges were closed.

“The 2015 flood was a turning point for emergency management in South Carolina. It showed us where we needed to improve, and we did. We've built stronger partnerships, enhanced our planning, and embraced technology to ensure we’re better prepared," said Kim Stenson, Director of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. “One of the greatest takeaways from the 2015 flood was how critical early decisions are. Acting quickly and pre-positioning resources made a difference then and continues to guide how we respond to disasters today.”

The 2015 Flood was challenging because most of the state was impacted by historic amounts of rainfall. Resources and response teams were strained to meet all the needs across the state. Neighboring states were unimpacted by the event and were able to provide assistance quickly and effectively through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

Following the 2015 Flood and subsequent incidents, South Carolina identified resources and teams that may be needed in future statewide incidents. These needs are now built into the requirements and capabilities assessment before and during disaster response. South Carolina has built a network of partners across the country who are ready and able to support our state, and South Carolina stands ready to help them in return through EMAC. In addition, SCEMD reactivated the State Recovery Task Force to implement the State Recovery Plan, which guides statewide support for disaster recovery. Since the 2015 flood, both the recovery plan and interagency coordination efforts have been strengthened.

The floods also put a strain on dams across the state, "Since the 2015 historic flooding, we have made significant improvements to South Carolina’s Dams and Reservoirs Safety Program thanks to funding and support from the General Assembly,” said Myra Reece, Director of the S.C. Department of Environmental Services. “Funding for additional dam inspectors and engineers, development of inundation maps and dam-specific GIS tools, and implementation of new emergency alert technologies are some of the ways the Dam Safety Program is now better equipped to support dam owners with their responsibility to properly maintain their dams and reservoirs."

A major advancement in emergency operations has been the launch of Palmetto in 2017, a statewide geospatial common operating picture that replaced the outdated text-based system used during the 2015 flood. Palmetto enables local, state, and partner agencies to share real-time information, coordinate resources, and track assistance requests efficiently. The system has become essential in disaster response operations, including during Hurricane Helene in 2024.

SCEMD encourages every South Carolinian to take proactive steps.

Flood Preparedness Tips:

• Create an emergency plan and a family communication strategy.
• Build an emergency kit and include essentials like food, water, medications, flashlights, and important documents.
• Most homeowners' insurance does not cover flood damage. Just one inch of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage.

For more information about flood preparedness, visit scemd.org.