Pressure Washing in Charleston, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The state’s Department of Natural Resources says five counties across South Carolina, including three in the Lowcountry are in the second level of drought severity of four.

Charleston, Berkeley and Georgetown Counties are in the moderate drought stage, along with Marion and Horry Counties, the agency said.

The rest of the state’s 41 counties are in an “incipient” drought, the second phase on the five-point scale that ranges from “normal” to “extreme.”

Most of the state has recorded below normal rainfall since late last fall, with some stations in the Coastal Plain and Pee Dee regions receiving less than 60% of normal rainfall throughout winter and spring.

Those stations include North Charleston, which recorded only 5.52 inches, 42% of normal rainfall totals expected from Jan. 1 through April 30; Hilton Head Island, which reported 6.07 inches of rain, 47% below normal; and Moncks Corner, which recorded 7.38 inches, only 55% of normal.

North Charleston’s rainfall station had the lowest percentage of normal precipitation recorded, according to the state’s Drought Response Committee.

The S.C. Department of Environmental Services provided an update on streamflow, groundwater and lake levels.

Persistent, below-normal streamflow conditions in the counties of the upstate provided support for maintaining an Incipient drought status for this area.

Counties in the central Santee River Basin are also experiencing declining streamflow and groundwater levels, which supported an upgrade to Incipient status for these counties, while below normal groundwater levels in Berkeley and Charleston counties supported an upgrade to Moderate status for these two counties.

In the Northeast, below-normal streamflow levels in the Pee Dee region supported maintaining Incipient drought status in most counties and an upgrade to Moderate status for Marion and Horry counties, with 14-day average flows in the Waccamaw River near Longs reaching a two-percentile flow.

For the month of March, the South Carolina Forestry Commission responded to 301 fires that burned 7,264 acres. On March 1 alone, they responded to 104 wildfires. Since the beginning of the year there has been 21.4% more fires compared with the 10-year normal, or 1,418 fires this year compared with the 10-year average of 1,168.

South Carolina has seen 176.5% greater-than-normal acreage burned this year compared with the 10-year average, with the total acreage burned this year standing at 30,965.

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Extensive planning for REAL ID enforcement across South Carolina's airports paid off May 7 as the first day went "smoothly," according to state Transportation Security Administration Director David McMahon.

The TSA leader said majority of those without REAL IDs had their passports in hand and continued on through the usual screening process.

Across the state's six airports May 7, less than 3 percent of flyers had non-compliant REAL IDs and required additional screening. At Charleston International specifically, that number was around 1 percent, which McMahon views as a successful starting point.

"We are seeing more passports presented for identification than I have seen in all my 23 years with TSA," McMahon said. "It was a welcomed surprise for our officers and the passengers have arrived to our airports prepared for the REAL ID implementation."

Traveler Sarah Rossi sat at the Charleston airport waiting for her ride. The New York visitor doesn't have a REAL ID yet, since she's getting married soon and wants to wait until she's legally changed her name.

"I used my passport at the security checkpoint as my form of identification and had no issues," Rossi said. "It was a lot easier than I expected."

All South Carolina airports had additional staff in place to help divert those without REAL IDs into a separate line for screening at the security checkpoint. Most airports conducted a soft enforcement May 6 to prepare for the hard deadline.

Whether traveling to or from the Palmetto State, a passenger's driver's license must have a star in the upper right corner, which denotes it's a REAL ID. A valid passport or REAL ID is now required to board a domestic flight, enter a secure federal building or visit a military installation. All travelers require a REAL ID-compliant form of identification, regardless of their TSA Pre Check and Global Entry status.

Midweek travel is typically the lowest of the week, which McMahon said allowed officers to ease into the new routine. TSA has been warning that travelers who undergo the extra screening will be sent on their way, but the delay could cause them to miss their flights.

McMahon cautions there may be an increase in non-compliant travelers as tourism season ramps up and schools are out for the summer.

"CHS continues to experience higher than normal passengers on Sundays and Mondays, so that will be our first true test to the implementation of REAL ID," McMahon said. "TSA officers across the state stand ready to provide first class security coupled with some good ol' Southern hospitality."

Nashville locals Jacob Murray and Taylor Humphrey were traveling together for work May 7. Murray had his REAL ID, but Humphrey used a passport. Both described their travels as "pretty smooth," despite Humphrey not having a REAL ID.

"I got my REAL ID when I renewed my license in Tennessee," Murray said. "It took longer than I thought it would to get an appointment, but I'm glad I have it."

Some states require appointments for REAL IDs, but South Carolina does not. South Carolina residents can apply for REAL IDs at all Department of Motor Vehicle offices across the state. Proof of identity and residence are required when applying.

Signs and posters throughout Charleston International Airport reminding passengers of the REAL ID deadline and had QR codes that linked to more information, including one that read: "Consider this a sign (again) to be REAL ID ready."

Reach Megan Fernandes at mfernandes@postandcourier.com.

Charleston is a peninsula surrounded by water, but it isn’t necessarily a beach town, per se. If you’re after the best Charleston beaches, you’ll need to plan ahead to drive to visit one of the sea islands that flank the city. The decision will pay dividends, however, as each beach offers wide views to the horizon, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and plenty of space to enjoy both. Most on this list come with a “beach town,” to boot, from Edisto’s sleepy seafood shacks to live bands at the Windjammer as the sun sets on Isle of Palms.

Whatever you’re after, pack some sunscreen and keep these tips in your back pocket for assured fun in the sun: The later in the day you arrive, the more crowded it will be. If you are picky about your place on the sand, then go to Charleston beaches early. The combo of tourists who generally have later starts to the day plus locals who like to knock off work early to get a few hours of beach time equals an increase in traffic and a decrease in towel real estate nearest peak sunshine. Note that each beach has its own rules for parking, from Folly’s “wheels off the road” rule to Isle of Palms’ city operated lots. It’s a delicate dance between livable beach communities and visitor pressure, so respect and patience keep public access palatable for all.

Heads-up: drinking and smoking on most Charleston beaches is a big no no, and can cost you big time. It’s a rule that is consistently enforced, and most locals know someone (or have been someone) who came with beer or other alcoholic beverages in a beach tote and left with a tan and a fine of up to $1000. Also, note that vibes vary from beach to beach. Each one of Charleston’s beach towns has its own culture. While Folly Beach is a free-stylin’ hippie, Edisto is a genteel country cousin, and Isle of Palms a fun-loving student on spring break. This is, of course, a simplification, but can help with deciding which to-the-water trek most fits your interests.

Read on for our complete Charleston city guide, which includes:

[UPDATED, 5/8/25] Charleston animal welfare activists this week reached a milestone they’ve dreamed of for more than a decade — saving 90% of shelter animals in the state from euthanized death.

“Over the course of nine years, more than 892,000 pets were given a second chance at life, demonstrating the incredible impact of statewide collaboration” by shelters and animal organizations across South Carolina, said Abigail Appleton, chief project officer of No Kill South Carolina (NKSC). It grew out of an initiative spearheaded by the Charleston Animal Society (CAS) a dozen years ago and funded through major support by Petco Love.

In recognition of the accomplishment announced at a Thursday press conference, Gov. Henry McMaster proclaimed May 8 as “No Kill South Carolina Day.” While he and other federal leaders offered congratulatory video messages, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson attended the Thursday event “to address animal cruelty in our state and how we can move up from being perennially in the bottom tier of state animal protection laws,” according to CAS President and CEO Joe Elmore.

“The pinnacle of our 150th anniversary year [at CAS] was achieving this historic milestone,” Elmore said. “As our lifesaving commitment continues for the next 150 years, we encourage every South Carolinian to continue supporting their local shelters, adopting pets in need and advocating for policies that protect animals, including adequate funding.”

During a luncheon at Trident Technical College, Elmore added, “”This is a monumental achievement, particularly for a state in the Deep South, which we really thought impossible. There are definitely pockets in the state that are not there yet. … it inspires us to continue to build on this, because there are others that we just can’t leave behind in our state.”

In 2013, the animal society built the first “no kill” shelter in the Southeast, Elmore said. Two years later, it announced NKSC as a statewide initiative and launched it the following year.

“We set a benchmark called the NKSC Lifesaving Rate of 90% to be reached by organizations working together to collectively reach it,” Elmore recalled. “We framed this as a community-centric goal, not organization-centric, as all issues — homelessness, poverty, violence, et cetera — are community-based, not centered around organizations. We do not use the terminology of ‘no kill shelter’ for this reason.”

Animal welfare advocates said improving efforts to save animals has continuing challenges. To keep cats out of shelters, for example, communities need to expand spay-and-neuter programs. Dogs in shelters face rising veterinary costs and behavioral rehabilitation issues. There also are continuing funding issues as well as veterinary shortages in the United States, which makes a newly-funded veterinary school at Clemson University helpful in South Carolina.

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