Hurricane Evacuation
In South Carolina the Governor is the only person legally authorized to order an evacuation
for hurricanes. If the Governor orders a Mandatory Evacuation for a hurricane threat to the
SC Central Coast region the following Dorchester County residents must relocate to a
safer structure.
-
For Category 1-3 Hurricanes, persons living in low-lying areas along Rantowles
Creek. - For Category 4-5 Hurricanes, persons living along County Line Rd. between the
Edisto River and SC 165 and those living in low-lying areas along Rantowles Creek. -
For Tropical Storms and all Hurricanes: All Mobile and Manufactured Homes
and other lesser constructed homes vulnerable to sustained 40 mph or greater
winds.
Evacuation Plans
Since Hurricane Floyd SC emergency planners have significantly improved evacuation plans.
The state has established lane-reversal strategies on some major highways (I-26, etc.),
expanded traffic monitoring systems, improved coordination of multi-state evacuation plans
and other measures.
Evacuation decision recommendations to the Governor use information gleaned from
conference calls among officials and emergency managers, computerized tracking and
analysis models and discussions with the National Weather Service. Key factors in
evacuation decision-making include:
- Storm Category and Landfall Forecast Timing
- Tourist Occupancy Levels
- Complete evacuation of those in storm surge zones and mobile homes before arrival
of 39 MPH winds - Consideration of news broadcast times to achieve greatest public awareness
SC Hurricane Evacuation Plans are based on moving persons vulnerable to Storm Surge
along the coast and inland waterways and Mobile and Manufactured home residents to
the 'closest point of safety.' For the Central SC coast, including Dorchester County, official
evacuation routes lead to the Columbia area. Evacuations are timed to clear people from
these vulnerable areas prior to the arrival of sustained 40 mph winds. Remember, the arrival
times of these hazardous winds are often far in advance of the storm's center making
landfall. DO NOT time your evacuation based on the arrival of the storm's eye or center. If
you do you will likely be caught outdoors during very dangerous conditions.
Important Note - Hurricanes Katrina & Rita; "Shadow Evacuation"
The devastation and experiences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have significantly raised
public awareness of hurricane threats. Media coverage of evacuation problems raises
questions and concerns for both the public and Emergency Managers. It's important for the
public to understand that hurricane evacuation plans, in SC and the entire coastal US, were
not designed to move an entire urban population of coastal and surrounding areas. The
primary goal of hurricane evacuation is to move people from hurricane storm surge zones
and mobile homes. The energy and the water volume in storm surge present the greatest risk
to life and property. Mobile homes and similar structures do not offer reasonable protection
from hurricane force winds. Emergency managers' first concern in a hurricane event is
moving these vulnerable populations who are at greatest risk.
Official Hurricane Evacuation Studies (HES) are used as a planning basis for evacuation
plans and decisions throughout the US. HES' are typically funded by FEMA, US Army Corps
of Engineers and sometimes state funds. A HES contain several analyses performed for a
coastal state and typically include transportation, behavioral and hazard analyses and
historical hurricane activity. An overview and more information about HES is here. SC's
current HES was delivered in 1999-2000 and includes Traffic Clearance Timetables using an I-26 reversal.
Over the last few years "shadow evacuations" have contributed to evacuation problems in
several areas. A "shadow evacuation" is when many more people than those identified as
vulnerable attempt to evacuate, usually during Peak Evacuation times. This unpredicted and
significant extra traffic load at peak evacuation times can cause evacuation route problems
when roadways are loaded beyond capacity. This phenomenon was a major contributing
factor during the Hurricane Floyd - Charleston area evacuation.
Traffic clearance times and roadway capacities for our region indicate that a total
evacuation of the area, or one that involves a very large 'shadow evacuation,' is not
realisticly achievable within the current HES clearance time guidance. To give sufficient
clearance times for a successful major hurricane evacuation with tens of thousands of
people besides the vulnerable populations described above would likely require an
evacuation decision and order long before there is a reasonably accurate landfall
forecast. Consequently, emergency managers encourage those who wish to leave the
area to do so as EARLY as possible! Unfortunately, the public may find they have to make
that decision before there is a very reliable storm or landfall forecast (see Storm Info. about
NHC forecast accuracy). Until such time as new HES' are funded and conducted, with
comprehensive and current Behavioral and Transportation Analyses to reflect a large
shadow evacuation's impact, this issue will remain a local, state and national concern.
Should I Evacuate?
"Run From The Water, Brace For The Wind!"
In general, if your home is not included in the above Mandatory Evacuation zones you can
consider remaining in your home, BUT only IF you take the necessary precautions:
- Protect your home's windows and doors!
- Have a Family Disaster Plan, Disaster Supply Kit, Food, Water and other essentials
for a minimum of 3 days (5 days recommended) - Your home is built according to building codes
- Prepared to be without power and other utilities for several days or longer!
- Evaluate the threat of trees falling on your home
- Evaluate your vulnerability to flooding from torrential rains
- Identify a Safe Room or area of your home to safely ride out the storm
- Designate someone outside the area, preferably out-of-state, as your family
contact.
See our Preparedness page for more important information on preparing your home and
business.
Evacuation Tips
Pre-plan primary and alternate routes. Become familiar with roads parallel to primary
evacuation routes.
Leave as soon as possible, preferably during daylight. Evacuation may take longer than
expected so allow extra time to reach your destination.
Have and review appropriate road maps for your trip, especially evacuation route maps. Get
a good map and plan various evacuation routes avoiding low-lying areas. This is especially
valuable in the event of flooding of rivers, streams, tropical storms, or flash floods.
Evacuation route maps, I-26 Lane Reversal information and other important evacuation
guidance is available from the SC Department of Transportation and SC Dept. of Public
Safety web sites.
During an evacuation or other declared emergency, the SC Department of Transportation will
activate a toll free number for traffic and road conditions. Call 1-888-877-9151.
While enroute to your destination monitor SC Educational Radio Stations for official
evacuation traffic reports from the SC Highway Patrol. Evacuation traffic reports from police
officers manning critical intersections, patrolling routes and airplanes monitoring routes will
be broadcast on SC Educational Radio. Reports on other radio stations from unofficial and
un-verified callers may not be accurate.
There is no access to the reversed lanes of I-26 west of the College Park Rd. interchange.
Access to the normal westbound lanes will be as usual.
Motorists should be on the lookout for electronic message boards along evacuation routes
and follow any instructions displayed. These boards may direct motorists to tune in to a local
AM radio station to hear route-specific traffic information and other special emergency-
related messages.
During Mandatory Evacuations when I-26 is reversed Comfort Stations at Rest Areas and
Weigh Stations in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Orangeburg Counties are supplied
with extra portable toilets and bottled water.
Before You Evacuate
-
Fill the gas tank of your car
- Use EXTREME CAUTION if transporting extra gasoline in storage containers
- Store home and lawn care chemicals above areas that could be flooded
- Shut off the water to the house
- Turn off the electricity at the main breaker
- Let people know when you are leaving and where you are going. Give family
contact numbers to neighbors. - Lock the windows and doors
- Close blinds and drapes
- Put plastic bags over TVs, stereos, lamps, computers, etc.
- Fill the sinks and bathtubs with water to use for bathing, washing clothes, flushing,
when you return - Pack some clothes in plastic bags and store on high shelves
- Adjust the refrigerator and freezer to the coolest possible setting
- Find a secure place for boats or second cars
- Turn off natural gas or propane tanks
- Cover windows and doors with shutters or plywood if possible.
- Bring inside or secure outdoor items such as bird feeders, bicycles, grills, propane
tanks and planters - Make sure your neighbors have a safe ride
- Take your Disaster Supply Kit, Food, Water and important documents
(identification, insurance papers, etc.) from home with you.
If sheltering options are not available with family or friends an American Red Cross Shelter
can be a last resort of safety for your family. Click on the Hurricane Shelters section for
listings of shelters near your home.