Hurricane Express: How South Carolina's Disaster Moving Service Works

What Hurricane Express Does

Hurricane Express is a disaster relief moving service operated by South Carolina's Emergency Management Division that helps residents relocate when a hurricane or other natural disaster makes their home temporarily or permanently uninhabitable. The service provides free transportation of household goods and personal belongings to a safe location—either to temporary housing arranged by the state, to a relative's home, or to another address you designate. You do not pay for the truck, the movers, or the fuel; the state covers those costs as part of its disaster response.

The service is activated only after a governor's declaration of emergency or disaster, which means it is not available during normal times or for non-disaster moves. Once activated, Hurricane Express operates under the South Carolina Emergency Management Division and coordinates with local emergency management offices in affected counties. The goal is to move people out of danger quickly and keep their belongings safe while they find stable housing.

Key Takeaways

• Hurricane Express is free and only operates after the governor declares a disaster in your county.
• You contact your local county emergency management office to request a move, not a private moving company.
• The service moves your household goods to temporary housing, a family member's home, or another address you choose.
• You will need to provide an inventory of what is being moved and proof that your home is uninhabitable due to the disaster.
• Response time depends on the scale of the disaster and the number of requests in your area, so the first calls are usually processed first.

How to Request a Move After a Disaster

Contact your county emergency management office as soon as your home is declared uninhabitable or you are under an evacuation order. Do not call a private moving company—the county office will coordinate Hurricane Express for you. You can find your county emergency management office by searching "[your county name] emergency management" online or by calling your county's main administrative line and asking for the emergency services department.

When you call, have ready the address you are moving from, the address you are moving to (or let them know you need help finding temporary housing), and a basic list of what you need moved—furniture, boxes, appliances, vehicles if applicable. The county office will tell you whether Hurricane Express is currently active in your area and what the wait time is. If the disaster is widespread, you may be placed in a queue and given a date range for pickup.

Before the movers arrive, take photos or video of your belongings and your damaged home if possible. This documentation helps if you later file an insurance claim or seek federal disaster assistance. Make sure your destination address is clear and that someone will be present to receive the goods, or arrange for the items to be stored in a secure location the county can access.

What Happens on Moving Day

A state-contracted moving crew will arrive at your home with a truck. They will load your household goods, furniture, and personal items according to the inventory you provided. The process typically takes a few hours depending on how much you are moving and the condition of your home. The movers will transport everything to your destination address or to temporary storage if you do not yet have a place to go.

You are responsible for packing boxes and preparing items for transport—the movers handle the heavy lifting and loading. If you have items that are damaged, contaminated, or unsafe to move (such as appliances filled with floodwater or materials exposed to mold), let the county office know before moving day so they can advise you on what can and cannot be transported.

Temporary Housing and Storage Options

If you do not have a destination address lined up, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division can direct you to temporary housing options. These may include state-provided shelters, hotel vouchers, or mobile homes placed in affected areas. The county emergency management office will explain what is available in your area and help you choose an option that works for your family.

If you need your belongings stored temporarily while you find permanent housing, the state may arrange warehouse storage at no cost to you. You will be given information about where your items are stored and how to retrieve them once you have a new address. Storage is typically available for a set period—usually several months—after which you will need to make other arrangements or retrieve your belongings.

What You Need to Provide

The county emergency management office will ask for proof that your home is uninhabitable due to the disaster. This can be a damage assessment form completed by a county inspector, a photo of visible damage, an evacuation order, or a notice from your landlord or insurance company stating the property is not safe to occupy. You will also need to provide a list of what is being moved and confirm the destination address or request help finding temporary housing.

If you are moving to a relative's or friend's home, have their address and phone number ready. If you are moving to temporary housing provided by the state, the county office will coordinate that directly with you. Keep copies of all documents you provide—damage photos, inventory lists, and any written confirmation of your move date—for your records and for potential disaster assistance claims.

Limits and What Hurricane Express Does Not Cover

Hurricane Express covers household goods and personal belongings, but not all items. Vehicles are typically not transported by the moving service, though the state may have separate assistance for vehicle evacuation or repair. Hazardous materials, propane tanks, and items that are contaminated or unsafe cannot be moved. Pets are your responsibility to transport separately, though many temporary housing options do allow animals.

The service does not cover the cost of repairs to your home, replacement of damaged items, or long-term housing beyond what the state provides as temporary relief. Those costs may be covered by your homeowner's or renter's insurance, or you may be able to request federal disaster assistance through FEMA if your county is declared may be able to access. The county emergency management office can direct you to resources for those types of help.

After the Disaster: Retrieving Your Belongings

Once you have permanent housing or your home is repaired and declared safe, you can retrieve your belongings from storage or the temporary location where they were moved. Contact the county emergency management office to arrange pickup or delivery. If your items are in state-provided storage, the office will coordinate the logistics with you. You are responsible for arranging the final move into your permanent home, though the county may be able to refer you to moving resources.

Keep all documentation from the disaster and the moving process—photos, inventory lists, receipts, and any written communication with the county office. These records are important if you file an insurance claim or apply for federal disaster assistance, as they document what you lost and what help you received from the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hurricane Express available right now in my county?

Hurricane Express is only active after the governor declares a disaster in your county. Check the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website or call your county emergency management office to confirm whether a disaster declaration is in effect and whether the service is currently operating in your area.

What if I do not have a place to move to yet?

Tell the county emergency management office that you need temporary housing. They will direct you to available options—shelters, hotel vouchers, or mobile homes—and can arrange for your belongings to be stored while you find permanent housing. The county office coordinates both the move and the temporary housing placement.

Can I move my vehicle with Hurricane Express?

Vehicles are not typically transported by Hurricane Express. However, the state may have separate evacuation assistance for vehicles or information about vehicle repair programs after a disaster. Ask your county emergency management office what vehicle assistance is available in your area.

How long can my belongings stay in storage?

Storage is usually provided for several months after a disaster, but the exact timeframe depends on the state's resources and the scope of the disaster. The county emergency management office will tell you the storage period when you arrange your move and will notify you when you need to retrieve your items or make other arrangements.

What if my home is damaged but I can still live there?

Hurricane Express is for homes that are uninhabitable—meaning unsafe to occupy or without essential utilities like electricity, water, or heat. If your home has damage but is still livable, you may not be may be able to access for the moving service. However, you may still be able to request disaster assistance for repairs through FEMA or your insurance company.