How to best stay alerted about hurricanes, tornadoes & storms in Beaufort County this year
Hurricane season is officially here, meaning that now more than ever, it’s important to stay updated and informed on weather patterns and conditions.
Storms, no matter if it’s an afternoon shower or a hurricane, can host a wide variety of weather activities. From flooding, winds, lightning strikes and even tornadoes, weather alert systems are intended to keep you safe and up to date.
But there’s one caveat: Beaufort County does not have weather-alert sirens mounted anywhere within the county, which can become a larger issue for certain weather events, such as tornadoes.
Now, without an automated countywide siren system in place, residents rely on alerts that come through over cell phone apps, television screens or from radio broadcasts, which can sometimes introduce additional barriers if there are power and internet outages during inclement weather.
What’s more, roughly 10% of Beaufort County residents are without baseline internet access, according to 2023 Census Data and a county study, making weather updates harder to come by for people in those areas.
Without emergency sirens, here are ways that residents in Beaufort County can stay informed on weather updates.
Alert systems for Beaufort County residents
CodeRED: Sign up for text and call weather alerts from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website.
SC Emergency Manager App: This app from SCEMD provides important evacuation and hurricane zone information. It also provides weather updates and tips for preparing for an emergency. Download for free on Google Play or Apple Store.
Everbridge: Download the free Everbridge app from the Google Play or Apple Store.
National Weather Service: The NWS provides alert notifications that you can sign up for online and enable on your mobile devices.
Nixles: Residents can sign up to receive Nixle alerts from the following organizations in Beaufort and Jasper counties, which feed weather updates from the NWS:
Weather Apps: Your preferred mobile weather apps, including platforms like The Weather Channel, AccuWeather and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Radar and Weather Forecast can provide updates and alerts on conditions in your area.
NOAA Weather Radio: NOAA Weather Radio, otherwise known as All-Hazards, is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information on FM weather radio stations. The station broadcasting in Beaufort and Jasper Counties is WXJ23 (162.450 MHz).
Emergency Alert System: The EAS is a national public warning system commonly used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as weather and AMBER alerts, to affected communities over television and radio broadcasts. Alerts are overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and the NOAA.
