South Carolina governor declares state of emergency over Hurricane Irma

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for South Carolina as the region braces for the possible impact of Hurricane Irma.

In an executive order, McMaster said the state of emergency will stay in effect “until rescinded or otherwise amended.” 

{mosads}“I have been advised that Hurricane Irma, and the associated wind, heavy rain, flash flooding, and sever weather, to include tornadoes, may pose a significant threat to the State of South Carolina and requires that the State take timely precautions to protect property, critical infrastructure, communities, and the general safety and welfare of the people of this State,” McMaster said.

Irma, which was upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday, is currently heading toward Puerto Rico.

The storm comes fewer than two weeks after Hurricane Harvey first made landfall in Texas as a Category 4 hurricane.