Hurricane Matthew News, Resources, Preparedness, and Updates

Credit: NOAA

First and foremost, I hope everyone stays safe during Hurricane Matthew. Although I appreciate your support and will do my best to pass along relevant and accurate information, be sure you follow local and national media and local government too. They are professionals and will have the best possible information.

Below are some important resources and info regarding the storm.

THE LATEST INFORMATION (last update: 10/4/16 at 11 pm)

• The most up-to-date storm tracker from the National Hurricane Center can be found here.
• Governor Nikki Haley issued an executive order, declaring a State of Emergency and asked residents to prepare for a potential evacuation of the South Carolina coast.
• As of 6 pm on Tuesday, October 4th, The City of Charleston is operating at OPCON 4.
  • The city will shift to OPCON 3 and open the Municipal Emergency Operations Center (MEOC) at 8 am on Wednesday, October 5th.
• Residents are asked to assist the city in preparation efforts by securing loose objects on their property and cleaning up any debris that could clog storm drains.
• For additional information residents should call the City of Charleston citizen information line starting at 8 am on Wednesday at 843-973-7219.
• Click here for updates from Charleston County Government.

EVACUATIONS

• Evacuations are currently being planned for. Click here for more information.
  • SCDOT: All lanes of I-26 eastbound will be reversed from I-526 to I-77 Wednesday. Visit ABC News 4 for more information.
• For information about evacuation routes, pick-up points, and shelters visit www.scemd.org and download the Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness Guide.
  • The South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s hotline is 1-866-246-0133. Call if you have any questions about Hurricane Matthew.

PREPARATION

• What to do in a hurricane/tropical storm (Ready.gov).
• What to do in a flood (Ready.gov).
• How to make an emergency kit (Red Cross).
  • The Red Cross has a few free apps that are useful too (Red Cross).
  • Preparing a survival kit for hurricanes (ABC News 4).
• Hurricane Preparedness Guide – Charleston County
  
  • Spanish version
• Preparedness Guide for Sullivan’s Island
• Preparedness Guide for Isle of Palms

SAND BAGS

• The City of Charleston has a limited number of free sandbags available to assist residents who anticipate localized flooding. They will be distributed from 7:30 am to 7 pm (as long as it is safe to do so and sandbags remain available). The sandbags may be picked up from the following locations:
  • City of Charleston Bees Ferry Fire Station at 1985 Bees Ferry Road.
  • Milford Street Public Works Operations Complex at 2150 Milford Street. Enter the first gate on the right and proceed to the rear of the complex.
• Sand, shovels, and bags will be available for citizens to build their own sandbags at two James Island locations:
  • Dock Street Park, 1433 Patterson Avenue. Open dawn to dusk
  • Pinckney Park, 461 Fort Johnson Road. Open dawn to dusk.
• Residents are limited to 15 sandbags per household. To purchase sandbags, citizens should contact a local home hardware store

PARKING GARAGES

• All City of Charleston parking garage locations will be open to the public to park their cars through the storm for free.
• Gates will be open starting at 3 pm on Wednesday, October 5th through 8 am on Monday, October 10th.
• These facilities will not be staffed during the storm.
• Elevators will not be operational.
• Do not park on the ground level or the top deck.

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