Emergency preparedness
Hurricane & Emergency Information
Your central resource for official emergency guidance on Hilton Head Island — evacuation zones, shelter locations, reentry procedures, and how to stay informed before, during, and after a storm.
- Evacuation zone
- Zone A (highest priority)
- Hurricane season
- June 1 – November 30
- Emergency alerts
- CodeRED (Beaufort County)
- Town emergency line
- (843) 341-4600
Hilton Head Island is a barrier island — all residents are in Zone A.
Peak activity is August through October.
Register at beaufortcountysc.gov to receive alerts for your address.
Town of Hilton Head Island main line. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
Stay informed — official alerts
The Town of Hilton Head Island issues all official emergency alerts. Sign up for Beaufort County's CodeRED system to receive phone, text, and email notifications for your address.
Town of HHI Hurricane CenterOfficial
The Town's official hurricane preparedness hub — evacuation orders, shelter info, and storm updates.
Beaufort County CodeRED AlertsOfficial
Register your phone and email to receive emergency notifications for your specific address.
SC Emergency Management DivisionOfficial
Statewide emergency management resources, shelter listings, and disaster declarations.
National Hurricane CenterOfficial
NOAA's official storm tracking, forecasts, and tropical weather outlooks.
Evacuation zones & routes
Hilton Head Island is in Beaufort County Zone A — the highest-priority evacuation zone due to its barrier island location. When a mandatory evacuation is ordered, leave immediately. Do not wait for Zone B orders.
Beaufort County Evacuation Zones MapOfficial
Interactive map showing Zone A, B, and C boundaries across Beaufort County.
SC 511 — Traffic & Road ConditionsOfficial
Real-time road conditions, contraflow routes, and evacuation traffic updates.
SCDOT Contraflow InformationOfficial
SC Department of Transportation contraflow lane reversal plans for evacuation corridors.
Emergency shelters
Beaufort County operates general population shelters and pet-friendly shelters during evacuations. Shelter locations are activated based on storm track and are announced by Beaufort County Emergency Management.
Beaufort County Emergency SheltersOfficial
Current shelter locations, hours, and what to bring. Updated when shelters are activated.
American Red Cross Shelter FinderOfficial
Find open Red Cross shelters near you during an active disaster.
SC 2-1-1 — Special Needs RegistryOfficial
Register for transportation assistance if you need help evacuating. Call 2-1-1 or visit online.
Reentry & damage assessment
After a storm, the Town of Hilton Head Island controls reentry to assess damage and ensure safety. Residents and business owners must present valid ID and proof of address or business ownership. Reentry is announced through the Town's official channels.
Town of HHI Reentry InformationOfficial
Official reentry procedures, checkpoint locations, and what documentation to bring.
Town of HHI Storm Damage ReportsOfficial
Post-storm damage assessments and infrastructure status updates from the Town.
FEMA Disaster AssistanceOfficial
Apply for federal disaster assistance after a declared disaster.
Before the storm — preparedness
Hilton Head Island's barrier island geography means preparation is critical. The Town recommends having a 72-hour emergency kit, knowing your evacuation zone, and having a plan before hurricane season begins June 1.
Town of HHI Preparedness ChecklistOfficial
The Town's official pre-storm checklist: supplies, documents, pets, and property protection.
Beaufort County Hurricane GuideOfficial
Comprehensive county hurricane guide covering preparation, evacuation, and recovery.
Ready.gov — Hurricane PreparednessOfficial
Federal emergency preparedness guidance for hurricanes, including supply lists and family plans.
Utilities & infrastructure
Report outages and get restoration updates from the island's utility providers during and after a storm.
Palmetto Electric — Outage Map
Real-time outage map and restoration updates for Palmetto Electric Cooperative customers.
Dominion Energy SC — Outage Map
Outage reporting and restoration status for Dominion Energy customers.
Town of HHI — Water & SewerOfficial
Water and sewer service status and boil-water advisories from the Town's Public Works department.
Last verified: September 30, 2026
All links on this page point to official government and public-safety sources. Hilton Head Islanders is a local guide — for authoritative emergency orders and real-time updates, always follow the Town of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort County Emergency Management directly.