FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                            DATE: August 31, 2019

Media Contact: Meagan Utsey, Public Information Officer

Phone Numbers:             843-782-0502

843-549-5632 (Emergency Operations Center)

E-Mail: mutsey@colletoncounty.org 

Governor Henry McMaster Declares State of Emergency to Prepare for Potential Impact from Hurricane Dorian

Governor Henry McMaster today issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency and urges South Carolinians to prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Dorian impacting the state.

Colleton County is now at Operational Condition Level Two.  OPCON 2 means a disaster or emergency is likely to affect the County.  The County Emergency Operations Center is partially activated in preparation for a full-scale activation on Monday.

Colleton County officials continue to monitor Hurricane Dorian.  It is becoming more likely that Colleton County will experience some sort of impacts from Hurricane Dorian, although it is too early to determine what those impacts may be.  Although the impacts may be limited, there is still a potential for significant impacts on South Carolina between Tuesday and Thursday next week. 

Colleton County will begin sandbag operations beginning at 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 1^st at Fire-Rescue Headquarters, located at 113 Mable T. Willis Boulevard. Residents will be responsible for filling and loading their sandbags. 

In the event the Governor orders an evacuation, it is very important that Colleton County citizens be aware if they live in an evacuation zone.  There are two evacuation zones in Colleton County, Zone A and Zone B.  Zone A consists of anyone living south of the CSX railroad tracks in the southern portion of Colleton County and includes the communities of Edisto Beach/Island, Jacksonboro, Green Pond, Bennetts Point, Wiggins, White Hall areas (between the CSX railroad and Ace Basin Parkway / U.S. Highway 17), the Bonnie Doone and Maybank/Prices Bridge communities.  Zone B consists of areas south of Cottageville Hwy (U.S. 17-Alternate) from the Dorchester County line to Walterboro, south of South Jefferies Blvd, and east of Interstate 95 to the Hampton County line and includes anyone living along the Combahee, Ashepoo and Edisto Rivers that are subject to be inaccessible due to storm surge flooding.

The map below illustrates Evacuation Zones A and B:

If you are unsure of your home’s location, you can go to the following website from any computer or smartphone:  www.scemd.org/knowyourzone .  In the top left corner of the map, there is a place to type your address and the map will display your home’s location.  If it does not appear in an area shaded yellow or red, then you are not in an evacuation zone.

Additionally, you can download the SCEMD App for your smartphone.  The App has a number of useful tools that can help you identify if you live in an evacuation zone and can help you build an emergency evacuation plan.  Apps are available from the SCEMD website at the following URL: https://www.scemd.org/stay-informed/mobile-applications/

If you live in an evacuation zone or in a mobile home, you should begin making plans to stay with a family member or friend outside of the evacuation zones.  As a last resort and if those options are unavailable, a shelter will be opened at Colleton County High School (150 Cougar Nation Drive, Walterboro), if an evacuation is ordered by the Governor.  The public shelter lacks many of the comforts of home and even cots and blankets may not be available until after the storm passes.

Know your zone, make plans to evacuate should the Governor order an evacuation, and continue to monitor local news and media outlets for updated information.

Should you have any questions, please visit Colleton County Fire-Rescue’s Emergency Management Division webpage at www.colletonfire.com or call the Emergency Operations Center at 843-549-5632.  Colleton County Fire-Rescue’s Emergency Management Division and all of our Emergency Support Function partners have been collaborating for several days now, will continue to monitor the track and intensity of Hurricane Dorian and are making the necessary preparations to respond in the event Hurricane Dorian becomes a threat to Colleton County.