Johns Island hurricane guide: evacuation zone, route, alerts and flood maps

Johns Island is a sea island reached by bridges over the Stono River. When a storm threatens, you need to know your evacuation zone, your route off the island and how you’ll hear about orders. Everything below comes from government agencies, mostly state and county emergency managers, with links at the bottom.

What hurricane evacuation zone is Johns Island in?

Zone B. South Carolina’s 2026 hurricane plan puts “areas in and around Mount Pleasant, James Island, and Johns Island” in Zone B. Kiawah and Seabrook are in Zone A. Zone C covers the mainland behind Edisto, Johns and James islands out to the county line. Charleston County’s own zone map matches.

Older documents, such as the 2019 evacuation order for Hurricane Dorian, listed Johns Island in Zone A, and you’ll still find them online. The difference matters because evacuation orders are issued by zone. An order for Zone A alone wouldn’t include Johns Island; an order for Zones A and B would.

Check your own address on the state’s Know Your Zone map.

How do I evacuate off Johns Island?

The state’s official route is Maybank Highway (SC 700) to Main Road to US 17. From there, take US 17 South to SC 64 toward Walterboro, and continue toward Aiken and I-20.

Both Stono River bridges, Maybank Highway’s and the Limehouse Bridge on Main Road, are on the state’s list of high-profile bridges that may close in high winds. Leave early. SCDOT posts evacuation maps and written directions on its emergency page.

How do I get emergency alerts?

Sign up for Charleston County’s free alerts. They cover severe weather, road closures, missing persons and evacuations, by phone call, text and email. Charleston County Emergency Management is at (843) 746-3800.

For forecasts, follow the National Weather Service in Charleston. Our Johns Island weather page shows active weather alerts for the island and the National Hurricane Center’s seven-day outlook, live. Hey Johns Island subscribers may also get a short extra email when an evacuation order covers the island.

Where can I get sandbags?

Charleston County’s emergency pages don’t describe a standing sandbag program. The City of Charleston gives out sandbags only when it decides they’re needed, and it announces the sites by press release. The sites have been self-serve, with free sand and bags; bring your own shovel. In 2022 the limit was 10 bags per residence. The September 2025 sites didn’t include a Johns Island location. When sites open, we’ll list them in the newsletter.

Where are the hurricane shelters?

Charleston County opens general-population shelters only when they’re needed. As of Oct. 29, 2026, none were open. If you go to one:

• Bring three days of food and water, two weeks of prescriptions and ID.
• Leave alcohol, drugs and weapons behind; they aren’t allowed.
• Pets can go only to pet-friendly shelters. Service animals are always allowed.

If you rely on powered medical equipment, South Carolina’s Department of Public Health runs Medical Equipment Power Shelters. Call 833-351-9990.

Am I in a flood zone?

Evacuation zones and flood zones are different things. Evacuation zones decide who is told to leave before a hurricane. FEMA flood zones decide flood-insurance requirements and building rules.

• To look up any address, use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center or Charleston County’s flood map viewer.
• For a determination letter on an unincorporated county address, email [email protected]. For a City of Charleston address, email [email protected] or call 843-579-6481.

Coming home after an evacuation

Go back only when officials say it’s safe. Charleston County’s re-entry plan, last revised as a draft in 2017, calls for:

• Phased re-entry, with possible curfews.
• Checkpoints. On Johns Island these are at the Stono River bridges on Main Road and Maybank Highway, and on Maybank Highway at Brownswood Road.
• ID that proves you live here, such as a driver’s license, utility bill or tax receipt.

Businesses can register for a “Dash Pass” at the start of hurricane season. We didn’t find a resident pass program.

Before the next storm: a short checklist

1. Look up your zone on Know Your Zone and write it down.
2. Sign up for Charleston County alerts.
3. Plan your route off the island (Maybank Highway, then Main Road, then US 17) and somewhere inland to stay.
4. Pack three days of food and water, two weeks of prescriptions, ID and a document that proves your address.
5. Decide where your pets will go: a pet-friendly shelter or pet-friendly lodging.
6. Check your FEMA flood zone and your flood insurance before the season starts June 1.