Mount Pleasant is in hurricane evacuation Zone B. Evacuees leave by I-526 or U.S. 17 south to I-26. Charleston County Emergency Management: 843-746-3800.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts on this page come from Charleston County Emergency Management, the state’s hurricane guide at hurricane.sc and the Town of Mount Pleasant’s hurricane preparedness page. Hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30.

Mount Pleasant sits on the harbor and the marsh, so it is exposed to the storm surge that the town calls the greatest threat to life and property in a tropical storm, plus wind, tornadoes and heavy rain. The town notes that it can feel the effects of hurricanes hundreds of miles away. Know your zone, your route and your flood plan before the next one.

Who to call

Know your zone

Charleston County’s evacuation zone map (PDF) has three zones, drawn from National Hurricane Center storm surge data:

Zone Areas, in the county’s words
A Edisto Island; the immediate coast including Seabrook, Kiawah, Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms and Dewees; east of U.S. 17 to Buck Hall
B Mount Pleasant, James Island and Johns Island; north of Mount Pleasant between Zone A and U.S. 17; the southern Charleston peninsula to Shipyard Creek
C North of Zone B along the I-26 corridor to the county line; between U.S. 17 and the county line; West Ashley and the areas behind the islands

An order may cover one zone, two or all three. Even an order for Zone A alone affects Mount Pleasant roads: the state’s routes for Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms run through town on S.C. 703, the Isle of Palms Connector and U.S. 17. Look up your address on the state’s Know Your Zone map.

Your evacuation route

The state’s evacuation plan for East Cooper:

  • Mount Pleasant: I-526 or U.S. 17 south to I-26.
  • Sullivan’s Island: S.C. 703 to I-526 Business, then I-526 to I-26.
  • Isle of Palms: the Isle of Palms Connector to U.S. 17. The right lane turns north on U.S. 17 to S.C. 41, then S.C. 402, U.S. 52, S.C. 375, U.S. 521, S.C. 261 and U.S. 378 to Columbia; the left lanes turn to I-526 and I-26.
  • From I-526, East Cooper evacuees are sent to the normal westbound lanes of I-26.

Under some conditions, lanes of I-26 are reversed to carry traffic inland; access to the reversed lanes begins at the Nexton crossover near Exit 197. Follow law enforcement, signs and 511. The county advises being ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland and keeping your gas tank full once a hurricane watch is issued.

Flooding

Flooding from heavy rain is one of the most common hazards in the Lowcountry, and high tide makes it worse, the town’s emergency preparedness page says. If water covers a road, turn around: the town notes that 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you down and a foot of moving water can sweep a car away. Check your flood zone on FEMA’s flood map service center, and see the town’s flood protection pages for flood zone questions.

Watches and warnings

  • Hurricane watch: hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. Check your kit, fill the car, refill prescriptions and bring in outdoor furniture.
  • Hurricane warning: a hurricane is expected within 36 hours. Finish preparing, and leave as soon as possible if an evacuation is ordered. The town’s advice: if you live in an evacuation zone and officials tell you to go, go immediately.

Shelters and pets

Shelters open only when a storm threatens. Charleston County lists them on its emergency shelters page. Bring blankets, bedding and your own supplies. The town advises building a disaster kit for pets and finding out ahead of time whether your shelter takes them; when shelters accept pets, they are usually housed apart from people.

Your kit

The town’s guidance is to give yourself more time than usual to gather food, water and medicine, and to keep a “go kit” of personal items and important papers. The county’s watch list: a flashlight, a battery radio and batteries, a first aid kit and medicines, food that keeps, water and a manual can opener, cash, and sturdy shoes.

Flood insurance

A standard homeowners policy does not cover flooding, and a new National Flood Insurance Program policy normally has a 30-day waiting period, the county says. Buy it before a storm is in the forecast.

Sales tax holiday

South Carolina’s 2026 sales tax holiday was the back-to-school holiday, Aug. 7-9. No separate holiday for hurricane supplies was announced for 2026.

What this means for you

  • Mount Pleasant is Zone B: an order for Zones A and B means you leave.
  • Plan on I-526 or U.S. 17 south to I-26, and fill the tank when a watch goes up.
  • Sign up for town alerts, and buy flood insurance a month before you need it.

Related guides: power outages, road construction and closures and who to call at Town Hall.

Frequently asked questions

What hurricane evacuation zone is Mount Pleasant in?

Zone B. Charleston County’s evacuation zone map puts Mount Pleasant in Zone B, behind the barrier islands of Zone A. Check your exact address on the state’s Know Your Zone map at hurricane.sc.

What is the hurricane evacuation route from Mount Pleasant?

The state’s plan sends Mount Pleasant evacuees out on I-526 or U.S. 17 south to I-26. Evacuees on I-526 from East Cooper are directed to the normal westbound lanes of I-26.

Where are hurricane shelters in Mount Pleasant?

Shelters open only when a storm threatens. Charleston County Emergency Management lists open shelters on its shelters page, and the town links to the county list.

How do I get emergency alerts from the Town of Mount Pleasant?

Sign up on the town’s emergency alert notification form, and turn on National Weather Service wireless emergency alerts on your phone.

When does hurricane season end?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30.