South Carolina

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Weather & Natural Disasters
  South Carolina’s weather features hot, humid summers with temperatures often reaching the low 90s and mild winters averaging between 40°F and 60°F. The state is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, as well as occasional severe thunderstorms and flooding.
  
  Hurricanes & Flooding
  
  Hurricane season in South Carolina spans from June to November, with the highest risk occurring from August to October. Beaufort, being a coastal city, is particularly vulnerable to storm surges, high winds, and heavy rainfall from hurricanes. Even if the area is not directly hit by a major hurricane, tropical storms and their remnants can still cause significant flooding, wind damage, and coastal erosion.
  
  The risk of flooding increases during severe storms or hurricanes, which can push seawater into low-lying areas of Beaufort. Always be prepared for the possibility of coastal flooding and avoid traveling in flooded areas.
  
  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you and your family can be prepared and act quickly. NOAA weather radio, local weather broadcasts, outdoor sirens, wireless emergency alerts (if you switch to an American area code), weather apps, and social media are all great tools to receive national and statewide disaster/emergency alerts.
  
  For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
   
• Neighbourhoods
  Cities: Beaufort
  Located just 5 miles from downtown Beaufort is the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, one of the largest Marine Corps aviation facilities in the United States. Known for its historic charm, downtown Beaufort offers a blend of Southern hospitality and coastal living. CAF members can also search in for housing in the small coastal town of Port Royal is a small coastal town (known for its waterfront access, and laid-back vibe).
  
  Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
   
• Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
  For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below.
  
  Spouses and dependents with valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification cards have access to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
  
  Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort offers a Marine Corps Exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Amenities include a fitness center, walking trails, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, a community center, and the Lasseter Theater. For the most updated information on Beaufort Marine Corps MWR facilities and services > visit South Caroline Marine Corps Community Services
• Getting Around
  Getting around Beaufort is primarily car-dependent, as the base is located just outside the city. Traffic around the base can be heavier during shift changes or military-related activities.
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facility
  Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort in South Carolina provides medical services through the Branch Health Clinic (BHC) at MCAS Beaufort, which offers primary care exclusively to active duty personnel. Canadian spouses and dependents may be eligible for TRICARE coverage if they are registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and meet the criteria for TRICARE benefits.
   
• Critters & Wildlife
  South Carolina is home to wildlife such as venomous snakes like the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake and the cottonmouth, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease, especially in wooded and grassy areas. The state also has insects like mosquitoes, fire ants, and occasional encounters with alligators, particularly in coastal and wetland regions. Compared to Canada, South Carolina’s warmer climate supports a greater variety of reptiles and insects, making routine pest control recommended to manage mosquitoes, fire ants, and other pests that thrive in the humid environment.
• Children's Education
  There are several public schools along with a charter schools within a 25-mile radius of Beaufort.

  • Beaufort Country School District
  • Riverview Charter School

  It is highly recommended that you utilize your installation’s School Liaison Officer, who is available to offer valuable information on local school districts, serve as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and provide expert consultation on educational matters.
  
  Click here for School Liaison Officer information and contact for Fort Huachuca. To find the most updated contact information for a School Liaison Program visit Military One Source Program and Services Contacts and select School Liaison Program and your location.
• Childcare
  Child Development Centers
  Child development centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Defense Department and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  
  For a full list of all military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, Childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps – visit MilitaryChildCare.com. Here you can enter in your location or Military installation and find a comprehensive list of all Childcare programs as well as initiate a request for childcare through child development centers, school-age care programs and DOD certified family childcare providers.
  
  Additional Child and Development-related resources:

  • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers
  • Birth to Five watch me Thrive is a podcast from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood Development provides information for parents about celebrating milestones, the importance of health screenings, how to identify delays and early concerns and how to provide developmental supports for children.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program works with other community and military agencies to make sure military parents have the early intervention services their infants and toddlers need.
  • Thrive — a free, online parenting program that promotes positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices.
  • The Military Child Education Coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes partnerships and provides for networking of military installations and their supporting school districts. 
  • The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make transitions smooth for families moving to a new duty station. 
  • Military K-12 Partnership between the DOD and the Department of Defense Education Activity, has all of the services working with educators and administrators across the nation to provide quality education for all children of military families. 
  • Exceptional Family Member Program can help families navigate the DOD’s network of services and support if they have a child with a disability or special need.
  • The MWR Digital Library is a free, online resource for service members and their families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages. 
  • Sesame Workshop has various toolkits to help military families with young children handle the challenges of military life.
  • Military OneSource education consultants provide one-on-one, free and confidential services. These consultants can provide referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in their area as well as public and private school information. They enable parents to speak to specialists with various areas of expertise. They include the New MilParent specialty consultation, designed for expectant parents and parents of children up to the age of 5 which provides support for a wide range of parenting issues
• Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
  The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles provides information on transferring out-of-state titles and licenses.