FOCUS: Batten down the hatches:  Get ready for Hurricane Florence

Staff reports  |  Lowcountry residents are being asked by state and local officials to prepare for a major hurricane, including the possibility of evacuation, as the Carolina coast braces for landfall later this week.

“Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best,” Gov. Henry McMaster said throughout the weekend.

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg on Sunday said the city was getting ready.

“This is shaping up to be a major hurricane,” Tecklenburg said.  “City government continues to get ready for whatever impacts the storm may bring. We ask that citizens do the same by reviewing your family’s plan and paying attention to any announcements from the Governor or other state emergency officials.”

To prepare for the storm, city workers are clearing ditches and drains of debris and the water levels in Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer are being lowered.

Sandbags will be available today at three locations:  the old Piggly Wiggly site on Sumar Street (West Ashley), the Charleston Fire Station at 1985 Bees Ferry Road (West Ashley) and the Public Service building at 2150 Milford Street (peninsula). Sandbags are self-serve, with a limit of 10 bags per household. Citizens must bring their own shovels, but there is onsite assistance for those who need it. Additional sites are expected to open, as resources become available.

In addition to storm preparations, the City of Charleston will also conduct normal city business Monday, September 10. Garbage and trash collections will run on normal schedules.

Online resources

Also available in Spanish

Preparation help.  You can download the state’s Hurricane Guide here:  English  |  Spanish.  It includes lots of helpful information to help you prepare.

Charleston.  The city of Charleston’s hurricane information page can be accessed here:   http://www.charleston-sc.gov/hurricane-information. Updates on the city’s preparations for Hurricane Florence will be released and posted to the webpage as new information becomes available.

National weather updates.  For the most accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts, residents should stay tuned to the National Hurricane Center (www.nhc.noaa.gov/) and National Weather Service Charleston (www.weather.gov/chs/) websites, as well as local media and the FEMA app.

The American Red Cross in South Carolina offers the following safety tips:

Hurricane safety

• Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radioor TV stations for the latest information and updates.
• Build an emergency kit that contains food, water and other basic supplies for each family member to last at least three days. Also, don’t forget to include essential medications, copies of important documents and special items for your children and pets.
• Follow evacuation orders (know your zone) and do not attempt to return until officials say it is safe to do so.
• If evacuation shelters open, you can find them by visiting orgor by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App. The Emergency App also puts real time information about the storm and hurricane safety tips at your fingertips. The app is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
• Don’t forget your pets. Bring them indoors and maintain direct control of them. Prepare an emergency kit for your pets, including sturdy leashes or pet carriers, food and water, bowls, cat litter and pan and photos of you with your pet in case they get lost. Additional pet safety tipsare available.
• Find more information on preparednesson org.

Flood safety

• Turn around, don’t drown. Stay off the roads. If you must drive and encounter a flooded roadway while driving, turn around and go another way.
• If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way.
• Keep children out of the water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to see flood danger.
• Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radioor TV stations for the latest information and updates.
• If your neighborhood is prone to flooding, be prepared to evacuate quickly if necessary.
• Follow evacuation orders and do not attempt to return until officials say it is safe to do so.

More helpful advice

The S.C. Emergency Management Division also advises:

• Know your evacuation zone by going to orgor downloading the SC Emergency Manager mobile app.
• Make sure your car has fuel.
• Make sure you have some cash in case of power outages.
• Keep all of your important papers in a watertight bag.
• Check with your pharmacy to make sure all important medications are filled.
• Make plans for your pets that include extra food, collar, leash and a pet carrier.
• Refer to the preparedness checklists in the 2018 S.C. Hurricane Guide.
• Have a comment?  Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com