Few accomplishments are as rewarding as waking up in the morning and hitting your target weight. You've worked hard to drop those unwanted pounds all year long, and you deserve a huge round of applause for what you've accomplished. However, if you're like many men and women, getting the sleek, sculpted body you crave is easier said than done. You've got pockets of unwanted fat around your abdomen, thighs, chin, and other areas - fat that just won't go away, despite diet and exercise.
Wouldn't it be nice to just freeze that fat away and forget all about your love handles?
At Southern Cosmetic Laser, our new, revolutionary fat-freezing treatment can help you achieve the toned look you've been dreaming of. That's right - we're talking about literally freezing the unwanted fat off your problem areas without invasive surgeries or extended downtime.
This amazing treatment is called CoolSculpting, and it's the world's leading non-invasive fat reduction procedure. It's specifically designed for people already at their desired weight who want to push past that plateau for real body sculpting results. If you're tired of seeing that excess belly fat, saggy skin, or double chin, CoolSculpting is the procedure for you. Southern Cosmetic Laser offers a wide range of the newest technologies to target fat reduction, skin tightening, facial and body remodeling, body toning, and cellulite reduction.
CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved procedure that has undeniable results. With CoolSculpting, you can permanently get rid of your muffin top, fat around your flanks, and more, all from the comfort and convenience of the Southern Cosmetic Laser office.
Technically known as cryolipolysis, CoolSculpting has the ability to reduce the number of fat cells in targeted areas between 20 and 25%. This unique technology uses controlled cooling to freeze and eliminate fat with minimal recovery time. No needles, no scalpels, no liposuction. Just real results provided by a licensed, experienced professional.
While CoolSculpting helps eliminate fat cells in your body, it doesn't harm the surrounding skin and muscles. Instead, it treats fat that is directly under the skin, also called subcutaneous fat. Since CoolSculpting doesn't target visceral fat deposits, this treatment works best for men and women who are approaching or already at their desired weight.
CoolSculpting is approved by the FDA to help reduce fat in the following areas:
CoolSculpting results are noticeable, proven, and long-lasting, helping you look your best and feel great from every angle. This exciting procedure works because fat cells freeze at higher temps than other tissues. As such, CoolSculpting delivers controlled, targeted cooling to do away with unwanted fat underneath your skin. These fat cells are essentially frozen or crystallized and eventually die. With time, your body will process that fat and will eliminate the dead cells, leaving behind a more sculpted physique.
Here are some quick CoolSculpting facts at a glance, so you have a better idea of why this fat cell elimination treatment is so popular:
Our CoolSculpting procedure is crafted around your comfort, with one-on-one attention in a relaxing atmosphere. It all starts with a detailed assessment, which you will complete prior to your treatment. This assessment will help us better understand your goals and desires, so we can freeze away the stubborn fat from the areas that matter most.
Typical CoolSculpting appointments take about an hour per area, though that time varies with each patient. Because our CoolSculpting applicators use a vacuum system to help with placement, you may feel a pulling sensation in the targeted area. Once placement is complete, we get to work on freezing your fat.
Before treatment, your skin is prepped with an alcohol wipe. A gel pad is then placed on your treatment area to help protect your skin. From there, a cold sensation is delivered through our applicators, which are designed for specific body parts.
Because there is no sedation involved with CoolSculpting, we encourage you to kick back, relax, and watch a little TV. If you prefer, you can also read or use your phone to check your favorite social media sites. Our friendly, experienced CoolSculpting technicians strive to keep you as comfy as possible during this quick treatment. When it's over, you can resume normal activities as soon as you like - there's no recovery or downtime to worry about!
CoolSculpting procedures are perhaps best known for eliminating stubborn belly fat, giving the patient a desirable, contoured tummy. However, this treatment is also very effective on other areas of your body:
While neck fat usually goes hand-in-hand with weight gain, symptoms like double chins can appear even if you're not overweight. CoolSculpting helps solve neck fat problems by eliminating fat cells in the area below your chin, giving you a slim, youthful appearance.
Many men and women begin CoolSculpting treatments to destroy fat around the abdomen or midsection. CoolSculpting does so by freezing stubborn subcutaneous fat in the abdominal region, resulting in a trimmed-up tummy. Remember, CoolSculpting does not treat visceral fat, or the fatty tissue surrounding the organs in your abdomen.
Back fat is a serious problem for many people in the U.S. This includes the upper back (where fat rolls over the bra), the mid-back (near the waist), and the lower back (where fat bulges over the beltline). Back fat can be hard to tone, but with CoolSculpting from Southern Cosmetic Laser in Cope, it's more than possible.
When it comes to stubborn fat, your upper arms are often the most difficult areas to treat. If you are constantly trying to hide your upper arms from friends and family, CoolSculpting is an excellent option to help overcome your insecurity.
Sometimes called saddlebags or flanks, love handles are the flabby areas that protrude from your hips. Love handles are often caused by fat retention over long periods of time. They can appear very pronounced in tight clothing, leading to feelings of embarrassment. Common factors that contribute to love handles are age, slow metabolism, hormones, and diets high in sugars and fats. With Southern Cosmetic Laser's CoolSculpting, patients leave behind stubborn love handles, helping them achieve a slimmer, more fit appearance.
If you are in good shape but suffer from chafing or discomfort due to fatty thighs, your solution could be at Southern Cosmetic Laser. Our technicians can help freeze away inner thigh fat, so you feel proud to wear skirts, shorts, and bikinis.
Q: Does CoolSculpting really work?
A: Yes! Southern Cosmetic Laser wouldn't be one of the most trusted providers of the treatment if it didn't work. According to recent statistics, CoolSculpting treatments can reduce fat reduction by as much as 25% in the affected area. Contact our office today for your initial consultation, where our team will advise you on how many treatments you need to meet your goals.
Q: How much does CoolSculpting cost?
A: Pricing varies depending on the areas you focus on and how many sessions you need in order to reach your goals. Our team will craft a custom treatment plan specific to you during your initial CoolSculpting consultation.
Q: How quickly will I see results?
A: Many patients can see results as soon as three weeks after their first CoolSculpting procedure in Cope. As your body continues to dispose of crystallized fat cells, you can see even more changes with time.
Q: Does CoolSculpting eliminate cellulite?
A: CoolSculpting is designed for fat reduction. However, it may help contribute to cellulite reduction in specific treatment areas. There are currently no FDA clearances for cellulite reduction with CoolSculpting. However, our office offers incredible treatments like Inmode Evolve to reduce the appearance of cellulite and trim, tighten, and tone your skin.
Q: Why should I choose Southern Cosmetic Laser for CoolSculpting in Cope?
A: Southern Cosmetic Laser is a CoolSculpting certified practice and has completed advanced training at the CoolSculpting University. With a highly-trained staff of medical professionals, we're one of the leading providers of CoolSculpting in South Carolina. We know that peace of mind is precious these days. That's why we're committed to you and your body contouring transformation every step of the way.
We are a full-service practice offering Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetic Dermatology services. As such, Southern Cosmetic Laser has several innovative treatments that complement your CoolSculpting procedure. Whether you're looking to tighten up that turkey neck or say goodbye to cellulite, we've got a custom treatment option waiting for you.
Southern Cosmetic Laser is Cope's first medical aesthetics practice to offer Sentient Sculpt. This exciting new product reduces fat, remodels skin tissue, and regenerates skin collagen, leaving your skin tight and smooth.
Using microwave technology, Sentient Sculpt uses up to 80% of the energy generated to penetrate fat under your skin. This process destroys fat cells and the fibrous bands that cause dimples, or cellulite. The remaining 20% of energy is used on the upper layers of your skin, tightening and contracting it to improve its overall appearance.
Sentient Sculpt benefits include:
Contact Southern Cosmetic Laser today to learn more about the benefits of Sentient Sculpt and how it can be paired with CoolSculpting treatments.
If you're ready to kiss that double chin goodbye, Kybella could be the solution you need. Kybella is a treatment that deoxycholic acid that breaks down fat cells when injected into the treatment area. It provides noticeable results for improved chin profile.
Kybella Benefits Include:
Inmode Evoke is the first and only FDA-approved, non-invasive product for facial remodeling treatment. Evoke offers tightening and lifting for facial rejuvenation and can help you achieve a more defined neck and jawline.
The Evoke Intelligence System regulates temperature and sense impedance every millisecond, providing remarkable results. Using proven bipolar radiofrequency energy, Evoke sub-dermally remodels your facial tissue. The Evoke technology offers precise, consistent power to achieve optimal results.
This advanced, state-of-the-art Thermal Body Contouring Technology helps to trim, tighten, & tone your skin at the same time. Evolve's cutting-edge tech can destroy fat, reduce cellulite, and tighten skin. The result? A newfound, youthful appearance and feel. This treatment is perfect for your mommy makeover, eliminating muffin tops, sculpting abs, and addressing fat around your thighs, belly, arms, legs, hips, and knees.
Benefits of Inmode Evolve include:
Contact Southern Cosmetic Laser today to learn more about the benefits of Inmode Evolve and how it can be paired with CoolSculpting treatments.
When it comes to unmatched patient care and body contouring services in Cope, no other practice comes close to Southern Cosmetic Laser. We pour passion into every service we offer, from non-surgical fat cell freezing to laser hair removal. If you're looking to make a change for the better this year, we're here to make your wishes a reality. Contact our office today to learn more about the stunning benefits of CoolSculpting technology. Before you know it, you'll be excited to show off that new bathing suit or bikini on the beach.
843-277-2240COPE – The Orangeburg County town of Cope has the unique distinction of having the smallest population of any incorporated town in South Carolina, according to the 2020 United States Census.The 2020 census reported the town's population as 37, a decline of 77 from the 2010 census.The small population was not much of an issue until Oct. 4, when S.C. Secretary of State Mark Hammond sent Mayor Janet Joye a letter warning her that the town would be disincorporated since the population fell below 50.Hammond’s noti...
COPE – The Orangeburg County town of Cope has the unique distinction of having the smallest population of any incorporated town in South Carolina, according to the 2020 United States Census.
The 2020 census reported the town's population as 37, a decline of 77 from the 2010 census.
The small population was not much of an issue until Oct. 4, when S.C. Secretary of State Mark Hammond sent Mayor Janet Joye a letter warning her that the town would be disincorporated since the population fell below 50.
Hammond’s notice followed a letter his office received from the S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. The letter notes the town's “certificate of municipality must be automatically forfeited and void” as part of the state's 1962 disincorporation law.
The law states “when following its incorporation a municipality’s population has decreased to less than fifty inhabitants, the certificate of the municipality must be automatically forfeited and void.”
The Town of Cope is challenging census numbers showing it only has 37 residents, which falls below the threshold needed to remain a town in So…
Because the law does not specify how the population should be measured or the process used to forfeit the incorporation, the town immediately challenged the census count and the threat of disincorporation by conducting a face-to-face count of individuals living inside the city limits.
This effort resulted in a population count of 61 people, above the 50 required to remain incorporated.
The Secretary of State's office confirmed Oct. 18 that it received updated information from the town and has begun the process of verifying the addresses provided with Revenue and Fiscal Affairs to determine if the individuals do in fact live within the town limits.
Gas pump at Vallentine's Gin and Store in Cope.
As of Oct. 23, the office was still awaiting verification that the addresses provided are within the town limits of Cope, according to the office's general counsel and Public Information Director Shannon Wiley.
Once that information is received, Joye will provide an affidavit that affirms the information on the residents living at those addresses is correct.
The Secretary of State's Office is holding off on officially disincorporating the town until population numbers are verified.
Mayoral candidate William Workman IV says he fully expects to maintain the town's status.
“We don't want to be taken over by the county,” Workman said. “We prefer to take care of our own business.”
Joye could not be reached for comment.
Cope resident and Cope Baptist Church pastor Anthony Day said he is happy the town will remain incorporated.
“Not being unincorporated is a good thing. As a town, I think it helps us out a little bit, but if it does ever eventually become unincorporated, we will have to cross that bridge when we get there,” Day said.
He does not feel like he is lacking for services despite Cope's size.
“The town does a great job of keeping the small town vibe,” Day continued. “I think that is what a lot of these residents enjoy. The small town vibe of Cope. I think that is why people still live here. You don't deal with the city traffic. You don't deal with the city problems.”
“You deal with the small town,” Day continued. “Everybody knows everybody and when things take place, your neighbors are there to help you as well.”
“The fire department is only, what, a half a mile from the actual town itself,” Day said. “We have a great volunteer fire department – very fast to react when things are taking place.”
“On paper it may look like we are slowly fading away, but in real life we are here,” Day said.
The threat of disincorporation caught the attention of Sen. Vernon Stephens, D-Bowman.
Stephens sent the Secretary of State's office a letter on Oct. 13 informing them about the town's efforts to rectify the situation.
Stephens said he felt like he needed to get involved because he represents the town and was informed of the state law.
He spoke with town council members, Orangeburg County administration, the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, the Municipal Association of South Carolina and the Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Elections Office and all seemed to be OK with the town still being in existence.
“It was my responsibility to initiate and try to rectify the situation,” Stephens said.
Stephens said he hand-delivered the letter to the Secretary of State's office.
“The lack of individuals goes back to the census and individuals not filling out the census,” Stephens said. “We have a substantial undercount in Orangeburg County and most rural counties have such.”
Stephens is confident the face-to-face count is accurate and will save the Town of Cope.
“We made sure all our i’s were dotted and t’s crossed,” Stephens said. He asked the Secretary of State to expedite a decision on the matter.
“Time is of the essence as it is the season for setting millage rates and for preparing for elections,” Stephens wrote.
Cope is in some relatively unchartered territory if it does in fact become disincorporated.
Wiley said she could not answer questions related to what will happen to services the town provides for its residents, what will happen with the taxes collected, or what role the state will play in helping the town.
“There is little to no statutory guidance on this,” Wiley sad. “Also, the Secretary of State’s Office does not have the statutory authority to ‘wind up’ a town or dispose of its assets or liabilities.”
Cope is not alone in seeing its incorporation status threatened.
Jenkinsville in Fairfield County has a population of 40. There were 46 living in the town during the 2010 census. The town also got a letter of warning about its incorporation status.
Cope and Jenkinsville may not be the only towns to have their incorporation status in jeopardy over the coming decades.
Population trends show the state's urban areas are growing while its rural areas are hemorrhaging population.
Currently, South Carolina has about 271 towns and cities and 14 have less than 100 people.
Govan in Bamberg County is the fifth least-populated town in the state with only 56 people, according to the 2020 census. The town's population at the 2010 census was 65.
In Govan’s 2021 election, Wilma Edmonds received all 12 cast votes. There were no other candidates running for the position and no write-in votes.
The other council members also each received 12 votes and none was opposed.
Edmonds could not be reached for comment.
According to the Secretary of State's office, Cope and Jenkinsville will be the first towns in decades to be forced to surrender their incorporation because the population dropped below 50.
“Our office does not have records indicating that a town in Orangeburg, Calhoun or Bamberg counties has had its charter forfeited and voided due to a drop in population,” Wiley said. “The towns that have lost their municipal charter based on a population decrease have been in other counties (McCormick, Aiken, Darlington, Marion and Allendale).”
Cope's five-member town council currently meets quarterly and deals with business such as organizing an annual Christmas parade.
Otherwise, its responsibilities are few.
Workman IV says the town has enough of a tax base to provide for its residents despite its small size.
“We keep the town clean, we cut the grass,” he said. “We keep the parks up, the basketball court and the tennis courts up.”
The town receives its electricity from Dominion Energy, its water from the Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities and its gas from Bamberg. Police protection is from the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office and the S.C. Highway Patrol, and fire protection is from the Orangeburg County Fire District.
The town also has Internet access with AT&T.
The town has used state funds to help build parks and a walking trail.
The state provides funding for towns and cities through the Local Government Fund, but that funding is based on population or the local share of taxes collected on specific businesses.
Cope is expected to receive less than $1,000 from the state as part of the Local Government Fund.
Joye has been mayor since 1992 but did not file for re-election this year. Workman IV is the only one to file for the seat.
Marlene, Workman's wife, has filed for re-election to town council. Workman's son, Billy Workman V, has also filed for election to council.
Two of the other council seats are filled by husband and wife Darren and Jean-Marie Jump.
The couple also did not file for re-election but are running as write-in candidates.
If all the seats are not filled, a special election will be held to fill the vacant seats, according to Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Elections Director Aurora Smalls.
The Town of Cope used to be more populated back in the day.
According to the historical census population data, the town had 280 residents in 1940. This was the high-water mark, population-wise.
In addition to a small population, Cope is also small in size. The town is only half a square mile.
The Town of Cope was named for Jacob Martin Cope, who sold a portion of his land in the 1890s to be used for the town and train depot.
The Manchester and August Railroad was established in 1894 (the same year the town was established) and the tracks were later used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.
The railroad brought commerce and people to Cope.
In a few years, the town had two churches, general stores such as the Vallentines Store, a grist mill and a cotton gin, according to historical archives.
The town stopped being a railroad stop in the 1960s.
Today, Cope has no retail businesses aside from a small post office.
The rail line running through town carries only coal for Dominion Energy's power plant and many of the buildings in the center of town are empty reminders of what Cope once had — a bank, a general store and a phone company.
South Carolina is certainly filled with special, unique towns. From the Lowcountry to the Midlands, there are so many places to explore and enjoy. Each one is great, but the smaller ones offer a little something extra. One great example is located in Orangeburg County and you’ll definitely want to visit. This tiny little incorporated town shows us that growth isn’t what makes a town desirable, and that bigger ...
South Carolina is certainly filled with special, unique towns. From the Lowcountry to the Midlands, there are so many places to explore and enjoy. Each one is great, but the smaller ones offer a little something extra. One great example is located in Orangeburg County and you’ll definitely want to visit. This tiny little incorporated town shows us that growth isn’t what makes a town desirable, and that bigger isn’t better. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that one of the smallest towns in the Palmetto State is also one of the most picturesque. There are so many things to do in Cope, South Carolina that a long weekend is probably in order.
Have you heard of Cope, or visited? We’d love to know about your experience. And, if you have any fun tips to make a visit extra special, we’d love to read about them in the comments.
Love exploring the tiny little towns in the Palmetto State? Check out this tiny town where you’ll never run out of things to do.
Michelle S. | March 19, 2023
Are there any covered bridges in South Carolina?
There are quite a few covered bridges in South Carolina worth visiting. Poinsett Bridge, linking Charleston to Saluda, isn't exactly a covered bridge, but it's worth a visit. This structure built in 1820 is the oldest stone bridge in the entire Southeast. It's also considered to be remarkably haunted. Another option is Campbells Covered Bridge, near Landrum. Built in 1909, this is the oldest covered bridge in South Carolina. Here are a few reasons it's worth putting on your must-see list.
Which hidden gems in South Carolina should I visit?
The best hidden gems in South Carolina offer an opportunity to enjoy local attractions, nature, and everything in between. Here are a few particularly great ones:
There are quite a few great places to enjoy in South Carolina. For more of the lesser-known spots, check out this fun road trip.
May Renewables LLC is planning to build a $70 million solar farm and storage facility near Cope in Orangeburg County.The facility will have a 100 megawatt solar farm. It will include a 100 megawatt/400 megawatt battery energy storage system, Beaufort Rosemary LLC Managing Director Kevin Casey said.“Solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems are growing significantly around the globe, in the U.S. and in South Carolina, because of their zero-greenhouse gas emissions profile and their relatively low cost in producing elec...
May Renewables LLC is planning to build a $70 million solar farm and storage facility near Cope in Orangeburg County.
The facility will have a 100 megawatt solar farm. It will include a 100 megawatt/400 megawatt battery energy storage system, Beaufort Rosemary LLC Managing Director Kevin Casey said.
“Solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems are growing significantly around the globe, in the U.S. and in South Carolina, because of their zero-greenhouse gas emissions profile and their relatively low cost in producing electricity,” Casey said.
“Utility and corporate buyers are increasingly seeking to procure electricity from solar ... and more recently from energy storage facilities, to meet environmental, social and governance demands of their customers and shareholders. This facility responds to these market demands,” he said.
The farm and storage facility will be built on land located along U.S. Highway 301, also known as Bamberg Road, approximately two miles north of Cope near Carver School Road.
The solar farm will be built on 500 acres, and the integrated battery storage facility will occupy approximately 25 acres.
Construction is expected to start in the latter half of 2025 and commercial operation will begin by the end of 2026, Casey said.
The company is not anticipating the creation of new, ongoing jobs as a result of the project. Construction and maintenance jobs will be connected to the project.
May Renewables is owned by Renewco Power Holdings LLC. Beaufort Rosemary is the project developer.
Casey said there are over 6,000 major solar facilities and over 600 major battery energy storage facilities in the U.S.
There are already some operational projects in Orangeburg County, including the 75-megawatt Orangeburg County Solar Project, LLC owned by Savion, LLC. There are also other projects in active development in Orangeburg County.
Casey said, “We also view South Carolina and Orangeburg County as great places to do business.”
Casey explained how the solar farm and storage facility process works.
“Solar photovoltaic cells generate electricity by absorbing sunlight and using that light energy to create an electrical current,” Casey explained.
“There are many cells in a single solar panel, and many panels are linked together at an inverter which converts direct current (DC) output from the solar panels into the alternating current (AC) used in our homes,” Casey continued.
“The inverters feed the aggregated electricity to a step-up transformer in an electrical substation which, in the case of the May project, will step up the voltage to the 230 kilovolt transmission line adjacent to the project and which feeds the electrical grid serving homes and businesses,” he said.
The storage facility “typically looks like a series of containers slightly smaller than a trailer on a semi-truck,” he said. “Each container sits on a foundation. They are electrically wired together and are operated through an energy management system (aka a computer).”
According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy's website, storage refers to technologies that can capture electricity, store it as another form of energy and then release it for use when it is needed.
Storage helps solar contribute to the electricity supply even when the sun isn’t shining.
Casey said the project’s electricity will go to the transmission grids of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Santee Cooper or Central Electric and then flow to serve homes and businesses.
Orangeburg County has provided incentives for the company. The incentives are designed to reduce the property taxes the industry will have to pay.
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Select Sport All sports Baseball Beach Volleyball Equestrian Football Men's Basketball Men's Golf Men's Soccer Men's Swimming and Diving Men's Tennis Men's Track and Field Softball Swimming and Diving Track and Field Women's Basketball Women's Cross Country Women's Golf Women's Soccer Women's Swimming and Diving Women's Tennis Women's Track and Field Women's Volleyball
Thu, Apr 13 / Final
#2 Auburn
13
neutral
Fri, Sep 22 / Final
#9 UC Davis
8
home
Fri, Sep 29 / Final
#10 UT Martin
4
home
Fri, Sep 29 / Final
Lynchburg (JS Only)
0
home
Fri, Oct 6 / Final
SDSU
8
away
Fri, Oct 6 / Final
Fresno State
4
neutral
Fri, Oct 13 / Final
#7 Georgia
15
away
Fri, Oct 27 / Final
#2 Auburn
14
away
Fri, Nov 3 / Final
#4 Texas A&M
10
home
Fri, Nov 3 / Final
College of Charleston (JS Only)
2
home
Fri, Nov 17 / Final
Oklahoma State
8
Equestrian 12
home
Sat, Feb 3 / Final
#4 Auburn
9
home
Fri, Feb 9 / Final
#1 TCU
13
away
Sat, Feb 10 / Final
#2 Texas A&M
11
away
Sat, Feb 24 / Final
#5 Georgia
11
home
Fri, Mar 1 / Final
SDSU
3
home
Fri, Mar 29 / Final
#3 Texas A&M
14
neutral
Sat, Mar 30 / Final
#4 Georgia
12
neutral
Thu, Apr 18 / Final
#2 SMU
13
neutral
Equestrian . November 10, 2016
COLUMBIA – Gov. Henry McMaster and administration officials announced a long-awaited plan to respond to the impact of climate change on a growing population. Released June 29, the plan focuses on beefing up the state’s data collection efforts and conserving the state’s natural defenses against rising seas and stronger storms.The hefty report, which runs 746 pages and contains more than 50 recommendations, focuses on better data collection ef...
COLUMBIA – Gov. Henry McMaster and administration officials announced a long-awaited plan to respond to the impact of climate change on a growing population. Released June 29, the plan focuses on beefing up the state’s data collection efforts and conserving the state’s natural defenses against rising seas and stronger storms.
The hefty report, which runs 746 pages and contains more than 50 recommendations, focuses on better data collection efforts, mitigating flooding by conserving natural environments like swamps and forests and encouraging local governments to introduce regulations that reduce risky development in flood-prone areas.
The new effort is the direct work of the state's Office of Resilience, a cabinet agency that was created in 2021. Building resilience to increasingly strong storms is an ambitious goal for a new agency. The question remains: what will change for communities most affected by hurricanes?
A new focus on anticipating storm impacts is one of them.
"This work and our history is very tied to hurricanes," said Carissa Cochrane, the communications director for the South Carolina Office of Resilience. The predecessor of her current office was a temporary agency that went by another name — the South Carolina Disaster Recovery Office — which was formed in 2015 during the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.
Cochrane said the term "resilience" came to the forefront in the years the temporary agency was responding to Joaquin and later on hurricanes Matthew and Florence. In addressing hurricane recovery, she said, the state realized it needed to do a better job at collecting data, anticipating flood waters, increasing community awareness and safeguarding protective area that already exist.
They also were intentional about defining what resilience means for South Carolina.
"We define resilience as the ability of communities, economies and ecosystems to anticipate, absorb, recover and thrive when presented with environmental changes and natural hazards," said Cochrane.
One of the visible changes that coastal communities can expect as a result of the plan is a new flood hazard signage program. This will provide road signs that point out the high water mark in places with high storm surge. The height of the sign will be the height of high water mark, said Cochrane, and will help increase public awareness of hazard areas.
Another visible outcome will be the conservation of undeveloped natural areas, like coastal wetlands and forests, that already provide flood protection and mitigation.
The resilience office plans to hold public meetings within the state's eight watersheds to get local input on which areas should be prioritized for conservation and other resilience planning decisions. At the beginning of 2023, the office received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation to hold a series of public meetings in the Salkehatchie River Basin. Cochrane said that could be a model to replicate in the state's seven other watersheds.
Coastal communities will not see these new flood signs or conserved areas pop up any time this year. Those projects will take time to roll out.
But state officials and the governor insisted that plan will provide an immediate benefit for this year's hurricane season: a much expanded effort to collect better data on flooding and flooded communities.
"Our state has a lot of water," McMaster told the press. Mostly, that’s a good thing, he said. "But we will have a problem if we don’t take the steps to find out what water we have, where we have it, when we have it."
The state's resilience plan is backed up some $200 million in funding McMaster secured from the legislature in this year’s budget negotiations for resiliency efforts.
The office also hopes to move quickly to drastically increase the number of weather stations and river and groundwater monitors around the state. The move will improve understanding of water patterns and how they’re changing, as well as improve the state’s ability to adapt and predict, said Alex Butler, the Office’s Resilience Planning Director, who led the creation of the report.
For instance, recent studies have shown that not only are South Carolina’s tides rising with climate change, the state’s coast is sinking, Butler said. But there aren’t any on-the-ground sensors measuring the phenomenon. It was discovered through remote sensing, which is often done with aerial or satellite observation, he said. The office hopes to change that, and fast.
Finally, the state hopes to use education, outreach and encouragement to local communities to introduce more stringent building regulations to ensure more homes and businesses aren’t built in risky areas. Butler said the office also hopes to create a “pre-disaster buyout” program that would offer cash to homeowners in flood-prone regions to move out before catastrophes. The current program only buys out homeowners after storms.
The resilience office intends to take the new plan on a statewide “road show” in the coming months to coordinate with local officials and watershed districts, Butler said.
The strategy offers another view of McMaster’s approach to climate change, which none of the speakers mentioned directly during the announcement.
McMaster has focused on adapting the state to climate change with a strong emphasis on conservation, while efforts to stem carbon emissions are not directly mentioned. Yet, McMaster has become a national leader on promoting electric vehicles and hosted a recent energy summit in Columbia that featured significant discussion of nuclear technology.
The resilience report itself contains myriad references to climate change and climate science.
“Here in South Carolina under the governor’s leadership, we’ve been able to dispel that you have to choose between economic and environmental sustainability,” Tom Mullikin, the former chairman of the S.C. Floodwater Commission and who has been deeply involved in shaping the state’s resilience policy, said June 29.
South Carolina is the second to last state on the Eastern Seaboard to adopt a resilience plan. But Ben Duncan, the state's chief resilience officer, stressed that they have been working on many of the initiatives outlined in the report since the office was founded in 2020.
"Every state has taken this differently. I wouldn’t say we’re late to the party, but … certainly there’s no time to lose," Butler said.