Carolina Alert

Carolina Alert University of South Carolina's one-stop emergency notification source. This account is not monitored.

Note: This page is updated using RSS feeds and is not monitored. Questions or comments can be directed to [email protected].

04/29/2026

Carolina Alert:

ALL CLEAR. The public safety incident at Blossom and Assembly at the Columbia campus has been resolved.

All affected streets have been reopened.

Check www.sc.edu/CarolinaAlert and local media for more information and updates.

04/29/2026

Carolina Alert:

Carolina Alert: Public safety incident at Blossom and Assembly on the Columbia campus. No imminent danger to the community but roads are partially blocked. Avoid the area and obey officials.

Please continue to check www.sc.edu/CarolinaAlert and local media for more information and updates.

03/12/2026

Carolina Alert:

ALL CLEAR. The Tornado Warning is no longer in effect for the Columbia campus. Individuals may exit their sheltering location.

If damage is found, avoid the damaged area and report that information to the USC Police Department at 803-777-4215.

Check sc.edu/CarolinaAlert for more info.

03/12/2026

Carolina Alert:

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a tornado warning for the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus, effective immediately.

People in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. Move to an interior hallway on a lower level in the middle of the building you are in, stay away from windows and glass doors, and DO NOT use elevators. Preparedness information can be found at https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/law_enforcement_and_safety/emergency-procedures/natural-disasters-fire/index.php.

Please monitor www.sc.edu/CarolinaAlert and local media for more information and updates.

03/12/2026

Carolina Alert: A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for the Columbia Campus. Seek safe shelter immediately. Check sc.edu/carolinaalert for more information.

03/09/2026

Carolina Alert:

This is a TEST of the Carolina Alert Emergency Notification System.

In an emergency, monitor https://sc.edu/carolinaalert and local media for more information and updates.

This is only a TEST.

If an emergency occurs, Carolina Alert messages will provide instructions and updates as the situation unfolds. As needed, in-depth information will be posted on the Carolina Alert homepage at https://sc.edu/carolinaalert

Evacuation:

In the case of a campus-wide evacuation, campus community members will be notified through Carolina Alert and should follow the guidance provided in that notification as well as public safety officials. During a fire alarm or building specific evacuation, campus community members should be familiar with exit routes from all buildings and evacuate immediately when a fire alarm sounds, following guidelines below:

When the fire alarm sounds, you must evacuate. Do not use elevators.
-Know at least two evacuation routes. Look for illuminated exit signs.
-Encourage others to evacuate with you. Do not wait for those who refuse to leave.
-Go to the designated evacuation assembly area for the building or move at least 100 feet away.
-Obey the instructions of public safety officials.

Shelter‐in‐Place:
A shelter‐in‐place notification may come from the Carolina Alert system or public safety officials when severe weather or other hazards occur. The shelter‐in‐place order means that all campus community members should follow the steps below, remaining in place until notified.

If outside, move quickly to the closest building and follow the steps below for sheltering inside, or respond to directives provided by public safety officials.
-If inside, stay where you are.
-Locate an interior room at ground level with minimal windows.
-All windows and doors should be secured.
-Monitor Carolina Alert and local media for further instructions.

To Receive Carolina Alert Notifications:

Text and Email
Students, faculty, and staff are automatically enrolled in Carolina Alert to receive text and email notifications. If you would like to update, opt-in to other campuses, or add cell phone numbers or email addresses, go to the “emergency notifications” tab under the “update account settings” section at http://my.sc.edu/emergency

For questions about entering your information on my.sc.edu, contact the DoIT Help Desk at 803-777-1800 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Rave Guardian Safety app
Rave Guardian Safety app is a mobile app that turns any cell phone into a personalized protection network. It connects you directly to the USC Police Department during an emergency and provides important information instantly.

Download the Rave Guardian Safety app to connect with USC Police in an emergency and have access to key information in an instant. The Rave Guardian Safety app is available on the Apple app store for iPhones and Google Play store for Android devices.

The app provides users with:
A safety timer
-Anonymous text messaging directly to USC Police Dispatch
-Panic button
-Carolina Alert notifications
-And more

Desktop Notifications:
Carolina Alert desktop notification application immediately grabs the attention of anyone using a computer with a full screen pop-up alert. The user’s computer must be connected to a USC campus network (wired, wireless, VPN).

If you would like the free application, go to Software Distribution (sc.edu). Faculty and staff should navigate to the “Software for Work” section, click the “security” expandable section, and then select “Carolina Alert Desktop Notification.” Students should navigate to the “Software for Home” section, click the “security” expandable section, and then select “Carolina Alert for Students.”

Social Media
You can follow Carolina Alert on Facebook and Twitter

Additional Communication Strategies May Include (no registration required):
-Homepage of www.sc.edu
-Outdoor emergency notification speakers around campus
-Digital signage around campus
-Alert beacons
-University’s emergency information line: 803-777-5700
-Building fire alarm voice evacuation panels
-Local news releases

03/08/2026

Carolina Alert:

ALL CLEAR. The public safety incident at 541 Main St on the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus has been resolved.

The roads have been reopened.

Check www.sc.edu/CarolinaAlert and local media for more information and updates.

03/08/2026

Carolina Alert:

There is a public safety incident at [541 Main St on the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus. Please avoid the area and obey officials.

Main St between Blossom St and Wheat St is closed.

Please continue to check www.sc.edu/CarolinaAlert and local media for more information and updates.

02/02/2026

Carolina Alert:

The University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus will resume normal operations on Tuesday, February, 3.

All classes will meet as scheduled, and campus services will return to normal hours.

USC’s Facilities team has worked diligently to keep campus walkways clear during the weekend’s snow event, but please remain cautious of any lingering ice accumulation while navigating campus.

A special thanks to all the essential workers who helped keep critical campus operations running this weekend.

02/01/2026

Carolina Alert:

In keeping with county closure determinations by the Office of the Governor, the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus will remain closed on Monday, Feb. 2 due to continued inclement weather.

All in-person classes and previously scheduled events on Monday are canceled.

Essential food service will be available during the closure. Recreation centers (sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/campus_recreation/), the Thomas Cooper Library (sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/university_libraries/about/locations/tcl/), student health services (sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student-health-well-being/medical-services/), and the Russell House (sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/russell_house/) will operate under modified hours. Please check the respective websites for updates on hours.

Everyone is reminded to exercise caution, and all avoid unnecessary travel below-freezing temperatures, as the roadways in the Midlands are icy. Please obey all signage and public safety directives concerning travel.

Crossing bridges and elevated roads can be especially hazardous because ice accumulates much faster than on normal roads and sidewalks. Snow events in central South Carolina are rare, so roadways may take longer to recover because snowplows and salt treatments are typically not available.

USC employees designated as essential personnel should check with their supervisor as soon as possible if they are unsure of their status or responsibilities during a campus closure.

Please note: all campus closure determinations for state agencies within Richland County are made by the Office of the Governor.

USC will send updates if there are changes to the campus schedules and operations. In the meantime, please monitor email, sc.edu/weather, x.com/uofsc, and sc.edu/carolinaalert for updates.

01/30/2026

Carolina Alert:

In-person classes, workshops and tutoring sessions scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31 on the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus will be moved online due to expected snow accumulation throughout the Midlands region this weekend.

Snow, wind and below freezing temperatures are expected to begin Saturday morning and continue throughout Sunday evening. Several inches of snow accumulation is likely during this winter weather event.

Except for Saturday’s men’s basketball game (https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2026/01/29/saturdays-game-versus-lsu-moved-up-to-1-p-m-et/) all other on-campus events planned for Saturday are canceled or delayed until a later date. Essential food service will be available during the weather event. Recreation centers (https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/campus_recreation/), the Thomas Cooper Library (https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/university_libraries/about/locations/tcl/), the Center for Health and Well-Being (https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student-health-well-being/medical-services/), and the Russell House (https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/russell_house/) will operate under modified hours. Please check the respective websites for updates on hours.

Everyone is reminded to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during snow and below-freezing temperatures, as the roadways may become icy. Please obey all signage and public safety directives concerning travel.

Crossing bridges and elevated roads can be especially hazardous because ice accumulates much faster than on normal roads and sidewalks. Snow events in central South Carolina are rare, so roadways may take longer to recover because snowplows and salt treatments are typically not available.

USC employees designated as essential personnel should check with their supervisor as soon as possible if they are unsure of their status or responsibilities during a campus closure or delayed opening.

Please note: all campus closure determinations for state agencies within Richland County are made by the Office of the Governor.

USC will send updates if there are changes to the campus schedules and operations. In the meantime, please monitor email, sc.edu/weather, USC's social media at x.com/uofsc, and the Carolina Alert website at sc.edu/carolinaalert for updates.

Address

Columbia, SC
29208

Website

http://www.sc.edu/CarolinaAlert

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