6
July 2016
7
Hurricane Season
2016: Now Is The
Time To Prepare
Story Highlights
June 1 has come and gone and a
new hurricane season is officially
Hurricane season officially began here. Despite the lack of serious
on June 1
storm activity in recent years, that
could quickly and dramatically
There are a variety of resources
change. Kiawah and Seabrook and
available for disaster preparedness
the surrounding Lowcountry may be
some of the most beautiful places to
Social media can instantly provide
critical and up-to-date information live on the eastern seaboard, but they
are also some of the most vulnerable
to coastal storms and rough weather. The key to surviving these
perilous events of course is to be prepared. In this article we
detail several important and useful steps to take in advance of
a severe storm, many of which you can start to do right now.
• Having your evacuation plan in place starting with
following the instructions and advice of local government.
The South Carolina Division of emergency management
can be reached at 803-737-8500/or scemd.org for
information. Other important numbers include:
• 843-202-7400 Charleston County Emergency Preparedness
• 843-764-2323 American Red Cross Lowcountry chapter
(includes shelter information)
• 843-202-7100 Charleston County Emergency Citizens
Information line
• Developing an emergency communication plan with
family members and loved ones. Have a trusted family
friend serve as a single contact point for all.
• Preparing a family emergency supplies kit that includes
adequate food and water for a minimum of three days,
flashlights with extra batteries, battery powered radio with
additional batteries, map of the area, first aid kit, prescription
medications, emergency cash supply, rain gear, etc.
• Make sure your house is prepared before you leave
including double doors secured at the top and bottom,
windows protected by storm shutters or 5/8 inch thick
plywood, ensure the electrical panel, outlets switches
as well as washer, dryer, furnace and water heater are all
located at least 12 inches above projected flood elevation.
• Make sure your gas tank is full and listen to your radio for
information and updated instructions as you leave your home.
• Have your evacuation route plan in place. Evacuees from
Johns Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook will use SC 700
and Secondary Road 20 (Bohicket Road) to US 17. They
will then take US 17 south to SC 64. SC 64 will take them
to Walterboro and eventually to Augusta. For additional
transportation information including disability and pet
transportation call 843-202-7100.
The Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness Guide
(available online at charlestoncounty.org) provides detailed
information on all of the above and more when planning for
emergencies and severe weather.
At a recent Disaster Preparedness Expo, Sasha Vargasfimiani and
Amanda Smith, representatives of Charleston County Consolidated
911 call center, provided details of enhanced emergency services
that could prove critical during a storm, including:
• Citizen Alert Notification System: A powerful tool that allows
Charleston County to quickly send mass notification updates
before, during and after an emergency incident. To sign up, go
to charlestoncounty.org and click on the ‘Alert’ banner.
• Smart911: A system that allows citizens to create a safety
profile of valuable information for family members
(including pets). This insures that 9-1-1 call takers and first
responders are well informed prior to emergency services
arrival. To sign up visit smart911.com.
Social media can also provide critical and up-to-date information
from your mobile devices. Many local authorities have Twitter
accounts and disseminate information through this medium.
Go to twitter.com to sign up for an account and follow local
organizations including: @chscounty, @scdotlowcountry, @
chascosheriff, @hurricanealerts, @chswx, @townofkiawahsc, @
kiawah_island, @seabrooksc. Finally, additional information is
also available from FEMA (ready.gov, @femaregion4).
Take the time to prepare now, while doing so is relatively easy.
Accessing the aforementioned resources will help make sure
you are ready for whatever Mother Nature sends our way. Now
is the time to get your plan in place.
Reprinted Courtesy of The Island Connection.
On Kiawah...
The town is responsible for emergency management on the
island and is charged to develop, coordinate, implement and
lead the town’s emergency preparedness program. This enables
effective preparation for, response to, and recovery from
emergencies and disasters in order to save lives, reduce human
suffering and minimize property loss. A critical component of
the town's emergency management is its emergency telephone
notification system, CodeRed. For more information, visit
kiawahisland.org/disaster-preparedness.