President Donald Trump issued a state of emergency declaration for South Carolina on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the expected effects of Hurricane Irma.
The move provides the state with federal funding assistance and resources in preparation for the Category 5 storm that is forecasted to hit the state on Monday.
“Thank you @POTUS for approving request for emergency declaration ahead of Irma,” McMaster tweeted. “State, local, & federal emergency personnel are ready to go.”
Gov. Henry McMaster reached out to the White House on Wednesday and spoke with John Kelly, Trump’s chief of staff, regarding federal assistance.
South Carolina has been under a state of emergency since Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Hurricane Irma, the strongest hurricane ever in the Atlantic. The state will continue to ramp up efforts going into the weekend with potential mandatory evacuations of coastal counties, lane reversals for evacuations and prepositioning resources ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Residents are urged to prepare, plan and evacuate, if ordered to do so. More information can be found in the S.C. Emergency Management Department's Hurricane Guide here.
