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Hurricane Evacuation Transportation Assistance

Palmetto Breeze works with local emergency management officials to help transport eligible residents to the nearest available American Red Cross shelter during an official evacuation order.

When Beaufort County activates public evacuation transportation, Palmetto Breeze helps residents get from designated emergency pickup locations to designated shelters.

This service is for residents who do not have another safe way to reach an evacuation shelter. Buses only operate when directed by Beaufort County Emergency Management.​​

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Register for Evacuation Help

Need a ride to a shelter

during an evacuation?

Click above to fill out the form now

so we all can plan ahead.

Last review: 5/22/26

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Register for Evacuation Help

Register for transportation services in advance through the Transportation Evacuation Registry by clicking here.

For help or questions before a storm, call Palmetto Breeze Dispatch at 843-757-5782, option 1.

Dispatch is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, except weekends and holidays. During an emergency, our Dispatch Center operates outside this schedule.

During an active evacuation, listen to local media, check Beaufort County updates, and follow official emergency instructions.

Before a Storm

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Map: Emergency Evacuation routes and shelter connections in Beaufort County.

This map shows public transit routes from local pickup areas to designated emergency shelters. During an evacuation, please follow Beaufort County Emergency Management updates to confirm which pickup sites are active before heading out. For pre-storm transportation questions, call Palmetto Breeze Dispatch at 843-757-5782, option 1.

Emergency Pickup Locations

Beaufort residents should use the pickup location closest to their home. Active pickup sites may vary depending on the storm and official instructions.

St. Helena Island
Staging Area:

St. Helena’s Elementary School

Pickup locations:

  • PALS at Scott Recreation Complex

  • Land’s End Road, old store

  • Adam Street Baptist Church

  • PALS at Gloria Potts Community Center

  • Folly Road Grocery

  • Penn Center

  • Fripp Island at The Beach Club

  • Faith Memorial Church

Lady’s Island

Staging Area:

Lady’s Island Elementary

Pickup locations:

  • Sam’s Point Road area

  • Texaco Station on Sam’s Point Road

  • PALS at Broomfield Ballfield

  • Highway 802

Beaufort Area

Staging Area:

Beaufort Elementary

Pickup locations:

  • Piggly Wiggly on Boundary Street

  • Cross Creek Shopping Center

  • Beaufort Town Center Shopping

  • Beaufort Plaza Shopping Center

Beaufort and Port Royal Area​

Pickup locations:

  • Piggly Wiggly on Ribaut Road

  • Mossy Oaks Elementary School

  • Spanish Trace Housing

  • Port Royal Elementary School

Beaufort, Port Royal, and Burton

Staging Area:

Battery Creek High School

Pickup locations:

  • BiLo Grocery

  • Shell Point Elementary School

  • Builders FirstSource

  • The Oaks

  • Laurel Bay

  • Laurel Bay Baptist Church

  • Lobeco, Grays Hill, and Burton

  • Shelter: Battery Creek High School
    Staging Area: Davis Elementary School

  • Pickup locations:

  • Lobeco Public Library

  • Seabrook Road

  • Stuart Point Road

  • Corner Market on Highway 21

  • Possum Hill Road

  • Shanklin Road

  • Roseida Road

  • County Shed Road

  • Sheldon

  • Shelter: Battery Creek High School
    Staging Area: Davis Elementary School

  • Pickup locations:

  • PALS at Agnes Major Community Center

  • Sheldon Post Office

  • Elijah Washington Comprehensive Health Clinic

  • PALS at Booker T. Washington Community Center

  • Piggly Wiggly

  • Family Life Center

  • Hilton Head Island

  • Shelters: Bluffton Elementary, McCracken Middle, and Bluffton High School
    Staging Area: Hilton Head Airport

  • Pickup locations:

  • Boys and Girls Club

  • Elks Lodge

  • Grace Community Church

  • Pineland Station

  • Hilton Head Resort

  • Holy Family Catholic Church

  • Bluffton

  • Shelters: Bluffton Elementary, McCracken Middle, and Bluffton High School

  • Pickup locations:

  • PALS at Oscar J. Frazier Park

  • Food Lion

  • Bluffton Post Office

  • Kroger at Plantation Point

  • Community Center

  • The Lakes at Myrtle Park

  • Simmons Cay Apartments

  • MC Riley Elementary

  • Sun City at Pinckney Hall

  • Wellstone

  • Cross Episcopal School

  • Bluffton Eagle Field

  • Vista View

  • The Country Store

  • Out of County Evacuations

  • For out-of-county evacuations of Beaufort County residents, pickup locations will remain the same. Shelter locations may change depending on the emergency.

  • Residents should follow Beaufort County Emergency Management updates for current shelter information.

  • What to Bring

  • Please bring only what you can carry. Space is limited on buses and inside shelters.

  • Recommended items include:

  • Water and food for three days

  • One change of clothing and footwear

  • Blanket or sleeping bag

  • First aid kit

  • Prescription medication

  • Battery-powered radio

  • Flashlight and extra batteries

  • Extra car keys

  • Credit card, cash, or traveler’s checks

  • Plastic trash bags

  • Sanitation supplies

  • Items needed for infants, older adults, or family members with medical needs

  • Extra prescription glasses

  • Important family documents in a waterproof container

  • Picture identification or other identifying information

  • What Not to Bring

  • For everyone’s safety, the following items are not allowed on evacuation buses:

  • Household furniture

  • Weapons

  • Illegal drugs

  • Alcohol

  • Pets are not allowed on evacuation buses or in shelters. Service animals are allowed. For pet related information, contact Beaufort County Animal Shelter and Control at 843 255 5010.

  • Important Rider Reminders

  • When you board the bus, you may receive a colored wristband. Please keep it on. It helps Palmetto Breeze return you to the location where you first boarded.

  • Please take a seat quickly after boarding. Leave the front seats open for older riders and riders who may need them.

  • Bring picture identification or other identifying information so you can return to your home area after the emergency.

  • Contacts

  • Before a storm, call Palmetto Breeze Dispatch:
    843 757 5782, option 1
    Monday through Friday
    7:30 am to 3:30 pm
    No weekends or holidays

  • During an evacuation, follow Beaufort County Emergency Management instructions:
    843 255 4000

  • During an evacuation, Palmetto Breeze staff may also be reached at:
    843 255 4076

  • For pet information:
    Beaufort County Animal Shelter and Control
    843 255 5010

  • For Hilton Head Island information:
    843 341 4600​

What is the most important thing to do now?

Make your plan early. Know your nearest pickup location, gather the items you need, register for transportation services in advance, and follow official Beaufort County emergency updates.​

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Palmetto Breeze provide evacuation transportation?

A/ Yes. Palmetto Breeze provides public evacuation transportation when directed by Beaufort County Emergency Management.

​

2. Do evacuation buses run all the time during hurricane season?

A/ No. Evacuation buses only operate when activated by Beaufort County Emergency Management.

​

3. Where do I go if I need a ride to a shelter?

A/ Go to the emergency pickup location closest to your home. Active pickup locations may depend on the storm, so check official updates before traveling.

​

4. Will the bus pick me up at my house?

A/ The public evacuation service uses designated pickup locations. Residents with special transportation needs should contact Palmetto Breeze in advance so that staff can help plan appropriate support.

​

5. Are accessible vehicles available?

A/ Yes. Several vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Please call in advance so the right vehicle and equipment can be planned.

​

6. Can I bring my pet?

A/ Pets are not allowed on evacuation buses. Service animals are allowed. Please do not leave your pet out of your evacuation plans. For pet questions, call Beaufort County Animal Shelter and Control at 843-255-5010.

​

7. What should I bring with me?

A/ Bring only what you can carry. Helpful items include water, food, medicine, clothing, identification, important documents, a flashlight, batteries, and basic personal supplies.

​

8. What should I leave at home?

Do not bring furniture, weapons, illegal drugs, or alcohol. Space is limited, so please keep personal items small and necessary.

​

9. Will regular Palmetto Breeze service continue during an evacuation?

A/ Evacuation buses travel only between emergency pickup locations and designated shelters. Regular service may be changed or suspended in accordance with official emergency instructions and weather conditions. Follow us on social media and download our Track the Breeze app to receive live updates. 

​

10. When does Palmetto Breeze stop operating during a storm?

A/ Palmetto Breeze stops service when sustained winds reach 35 mph or when county officials require it to do so. 

​

11. Who should I call before a storm?

A/ Call Palmetto Breeze Dispatch at 843-757-5782, option 1. Dispatch is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, except weekends and holidays.

​

12. Who should I call during an evacuation?

A/ Follow Beaufort County Emergency Management instructions. You may call 843 255 4000. During an evacuation, Palmetto Breeze staff may also be reached at 843-255-4076.

​

13. What is the most important thing to do now?

A/ Make your plan early. Know your nearest pickup location, gather the items you need, register for transportation services in advance, and follow official Beaufort County emergency updates.​

Register for Beaufort Hurricane Evacuation Assistance

Hurricane Evacuation Registry

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Legal Information:

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BY USING THIS WEBSITE, YOU (“THE USER”) AGREE THAT NEITHER LOWCOUNTRY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, OPERATING AS PALMETTO BREEZE (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS “THE AUTHORITY”) AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES, NOR THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, INFORMATION PROVIDERS, OR SUPPLIERS, SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU UNDER ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY OR INDEMNITY IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THIS WEB SITE. YOU HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE CURRENTLY OR IN THE FUTURE AGAINST THE AUTHORITY AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR SUPPLIERS (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLAIMS BASED UPON THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE AUTHORITY AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, INFORMATION PROVIDERS, OR SUPPLIERS) FOR LOSSES OR DAMAGES YOU SUSTAIN IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING PARAGRAPH, THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF THE AUTHORITY AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, INFORMATION PROVIDERS AND SUPPLIERS, IF ANY, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE FEES PAID BY THE USER FOR THE PARTICULAR INFORMATION OR SERVICE PROVIDED. NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE AUTHORITY AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE. ALL OTHER DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE, ARISING FROM ANY USE OF THE WEB SITE, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED, EVEN IF THE AUTHORITY AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
IT IS SOLELY THE USER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE CORRECT INFORMATION, UPDATE INFORMATION, HAVE THE ABILITY TO UTILIZE BOTH TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND SHELTERING SERVICES. IN NO WAY DOES THE ENTERING OF THIS INFORMATION INTO THE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE REGISTRY LIMIT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER TO CONFIRM THE AVAILABILITY OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. USERS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE AUTHORITY TO CONFIRM THEIR NEED FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DURING AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION. INDIVIDUALS WHO REGISTER ARE NOT GUARANTEED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL (SCDHEC) AS GUIDANCE FOR AMERICAN RED CROSS SHELTERS INCLUDING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SHELTERS. PLEASE NOTE THE AUTHORITY VEHICLES ONLY TRANSPORT EVACUEES TO DESIGNATED AMERICAN RED CROSS SHELTERS. IF YOU CANNOT UTILIZE THE SHELTER FACILITIES AVAILABLE, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WILL NOT BE PROVIDED TO OTHER DESTINATIONS.

Thank you for registering. In the event of an evacuation we will contact you.

Let’s Talk!

For the fastest help, call our Dispatch Center at (843) 757 5782, option 1.

Closed weekends and holidays. Messages are returned in the order received.

Alternative Accessible Formats: If needed, riders can request any information available on our website in physical or other accessible formats.

©2026 Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority

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