On Kiawah ...
6
May 2017 July 2018 5
Hurricane Season 2018 : Now Is The Time To Prepare
Story Highlights June 1 has come and gone and a new hurricane season is officially here .
Hurricane season officially began As the Lowcountry witnessed with a
on June 1 number of storms in recent years , this area may be one of the most beautiful
There are a variety of resources places to live on the eastern seaboard , available for disaster preparedness it is also one of the most vulnerable
Social media can instantly provide to coastal storms and rough weather . critical and up-to-date information 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 :
Charleston County Emergency Preparedness - 843-202-7400 American Red Cross Lowcountry Chapter ( includes shelter information ) - 843-764-2323 Charleston County Emergency Citizens Information - 843-202-7100
• 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 , 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 , visit charlestoncounty . org .
• Smart911 : A system that allows citizens to create a safety profile of valuable information for family members ( including pets ). This ensures 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 . Visit twitter . com to sign up for an account and follow local organizations including : @ NWSCharlestonSC , @ 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 .
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 .