29-Aug through 07-Sept – EOC Operations Hurricane Dorian

Multiple agencies came together to staff the Fire-Rescue Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located at 108 Simmons Street, for the duration of Hurricane Dorian. Dorian was a deadly, powerful Category 5 hurricane that devastated the Bahamas, but fortunately only skirted the coast of South Carolina before making landfall at the outer banks of North Carolina. The storm bought heavy rains and some tropical force winds to Colleton County.  The EOC was brought on line early in the storm to monitor the progress and begin preparing for the effects as it was projected to cause more damage to SC. Fire-Rescue and our Emergency Service Function partners began full staffing of the EOC on Saturday 31-August which continued for 8 days. At peak staffing the Center had over 45 people coordinating resources for the community. Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency and ordered a coastal evacuation for Monday 02-September. The emergency shelter at Colleton County High School was opened Monday morning and staffed through Friday. A special needs shelter was opened at Colleton Medical Center. SCDOT and County Public Works crews worked 12 hour shifts to keep the roads open and to clean up debris from our roads. Edisto Beach received 3.3 inches of rain, while Walterboro only received 1.5 inches. Edisto reported winds of 60 miles per hour and Walterboro received some 40 mph winds. There were approximately 6,800 power customers with not electricity following the storm.  119 people were housed at the emergency shelter. Six went to the special needs shelter.