State of South Carolina

Executive Department
Office of the Governor 

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2025-34

WHEREAS, on September 26, 2025, the undersigned issued Executive Order No. 2025- 33, declaring a State of Emergency due to the significant threat posed by Tropical Disturbance Invest 94L ("Tropical Disturbance") and activating the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors located in the threatened areas; and

WHEREAS, according to preliminary forecasts, the Tropical Disturbance and the corresponding hazardous weather conditions had the potential to cause significant damage to public and private property and to disrupt essential utility services and other critical systems throughout the State of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, while the Tropical Disturbance has strengthened and become Tropical Storm Imelda and that storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the next few hours, the undersigned has been advised that Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to tum sharply to the east­ northeast and the center of Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to move away from the State of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division has advised the undersigned that the State Emergency Operations Center and all the county emergency operation centers have returned to Operation Condition 3 (Steady State Operations); and

WHEREAS, after consulting with the state and local officials and carefully considering other relevant information regarding the updated forecast, the undersigned has determined that Tropical Storm Imelda no longer poses an imminent threat to the life, health, safety, or welfare of people in the State of South Carolina, and it is, therefore, appropriate to rescind the state of emergency; and,

WHEREAS, section 56-5-70(B) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, provides that "[ w]hen an emergency is declared which triggers relief from regulations pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 390.23 in North Carolina or Georgia, an emergency, as referenced in the regional emergency provision of 49 C.R.F. [§] 390.23(a)(l)(A), must be declared by in this State by the Governor"; and

WHEREAS, Governor Josh Stein of the State of North Carolina declared a state of emergency for the Storm on September 27, 2025, including the temporary waiver and suspension of motor vehicle regulations, and said Executive Order 26 remains in place.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Governor of the State of South Carolina and pursuant to the Constitution and Laws of this State and the powers conferred upon me therein, I hereby order and direct as follows:

Section 1.    Rescinding Section 1 of Executive Order 2025-33

A.    I hereby rescind Section 1 of Executive Order 2025-33 (Emergency Measures to Prepare for and Respond to Tropical Disturbance Invest 94L) effective immediately.

B.    Section 2 of Executive Order 2025-33 (Transportation Waivers to Facilitate Emergency Management) shall remain effective until it terminates by operation of law or until Governor Stein of the State of North Carolina rescinds North Carolina Executive Order 26 issued on September 27, 2025, whichever is sooner.

Section 2.    General Provisions.

A.    This Order is not intended to create, and does not create, any individual right. privilege, or benefit, whether substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the State of South Carolina, its agencies, departments, political subdivisions, or other entities, or any officers, employees. or agents thereof, or any other person.

B.    If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Order is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this Order, as the undersigned would have issued this Order, and each and every section, subsection. paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

C.    This Order shall be implemented consistent with and to the maximum extent provided by applicable law and shall be subject to the availability of appropriations. This Order shall not be interpreted, applied, implemented, or construed in a manner so as to impair, impede, or otherwise affect the authority granted by law to an executive agency or department, or the officials or head thereof, including the undersigned.

D.    I hereby expressly authorize the Office of the Governor to provide or issue any necessary and appropriate additional or supplemental guidance, rules, regulations, or restrictions regarding the application of this Order or to otherwise provide clarification regarding the same, through appropriate means, without the need for further Orders.

E.    This Order is effective immediately. Further proclamations, orders, and directives deemed necessary to ensure the fullest possible protection of life and property during this State of Emergency shall be issued orally by the undersigned and thereafter reduced to writing and published for dissemination within the succeeding 24-hour period.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND
THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 29th DAY OF
SEPTEMBER, 2025.

HENRY DARGAN MCMASTER
Governor

ATTEST:

MARK HAMMOND
Secretary of State