Have a Hurricane Plan
Written by Anthony Garzilli
Photos courtesy of Town of Hilton Head
Hurricane season is here, and the Lowcountry is prepping for what could be a busy storm season.
Colorado State University hurricane researchers are predicting a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2023, citing the likely development of El Niño as a primary factor. The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 13 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
Researchers expect six to become hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane strength with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
In 2022 there were 14 named storms, including eight hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“Since the impacts of Hurricanes Matthew and Irma, the state overall has learned many lessons, but our area specifically has firsthand experience with property damage and the corresponding impacts to our local economy,” said Bluffton Town Manager Stephen Steese. “It is important that residents plan now for the possibility of a hurricane making landfall in or near our area.”
To help the state prepare, the South Carolina Emergency Division has an informative website: hurricane.sc. The site is an online guide to hurricane season resources. SCEMD also has an emergency manager app which keeps you updated and offers an option to build and customize an emergency plan.
Here are some tips to stay safe.
BE READY
• Watches and warnings: The National Hurricane Center issues watches and warnings for specific areas of danger. Watches are 48 hours in advance of possible onset. Warnings are 36 hours before expected onset.
• Miles Per Hour: Hurricanes are identified when sustained winds reach 74 mph. Tropical Storms are 39 to 73 mph.
• Be ready for flooding: Hurricanes and tropical storms often produce widespread, torrential rains of more than 6 inches, which may result in deadly and destructive floods.
• Wiping winds and tornadoes: Winds from a hurricane can destroy buildings and manufactured homes. Outdoor items and debris can become projectiles in high winds. Tornadoes can accompany hurricanes and tropical storms. The most tornadoes spawned by a single tropical cyclone were associated with Hurricane Ivan, which spawned 120 tornadoes in 2004, according to SCEMD.
PLAN
• Prep an emergency kit: Have a minimum of three days of non-perishable food, drinking water, first aid supplies, flashlight with extra batteries, medications, important documents and cash and credit cards. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.
• Supply checklist: A thorough list of emergency supplies can be found here: hurricane.sc/img/scemergchecklist.pdf
• Have a watertight container: This will help prevent valuables from being ruined or water-logged. Inside put ID cards, bank information, copies of insurance policies, emergency contact information, pet medical records, and other important documents. Put your most important identification and medical records into a digital format for easy safekeeping and quicker movement because paper documents can easily get misplaced or damaged.
• Label equipment: Put your name and contact information on your equipment in case it gets misplaced.
• Include personal hygiene items: These can be wet wipes, antibacterial cleaning products, hand sanitizer, feminine supplies and an extra change of clothes.
• For the kids: Pack books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
• If you are disabled: Contact your local government’s emergency information management office. Many local officials create contact lists of disabled residents to be able to check on them and provide help in a sudden emergency.
EVACUATION ACTION
If you evacuate:
• Know your evacuation zone. Evacuations are announced by designated zones. View the map found on the S.C. Emergency Management Division website (hurricane.sc/know-your-zone), and identify your hurricane evacuation zone and routes. Do not rely on your GPS or seek shortcuts, which may be blocked off or unsafe. State and local authorities will announce evacuations by these designated zones. Evacuation routes are predetermined so you can become familiar with the ones nearest you.
• Turn off gas, electricity, and water.
• Check pipes, ditches and storm drains to ensure there are no blockages.
• Cover your windows with pre-cut plywood or storm shutters.
• Secure and turn off any outdoor propane tanks.
• Charge your cell phone and mobile devices.
• Keep your gas tank full before an evacuation.
• Ensure you have road maps, jumper cables and a tire repair kit.
• Be ready to drive at least 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.
• Shelter locater: Text “shelter” and your ZIP code to 43362 to get a list of nearby shelter locations. There are no shelters in Beaufort County, but shelters have opened in Ridgeland, Jasper County.
• If you have pre-storm questions about transportation to a shelter, call Palmetto Breeze at 843-757-5782.
• If you decide to stay during an evacuation order, emergency services may be suspended due to unsafe weather conditions, according to the town of Bluffton. Be prepared to be self-sufficient during, and for the first 72 hours after, a storm. High winds during storms prohibit travel of emergency-response vehicles and debris following storms may also prevent travel. Mandatory evacuations also include closure of hospital facilities. This means medical care is unavailable until after evacuation orders are lifted.
PET SAFETY
• Evacuate with your pet outside of the evacuation zone.
• Have a cage/carrier for each pet.
• Counties may have a temporary emergency shelter for pets. The South Carolina Emergency Manager mobile app and scemd.org will list open shelters.
• Consider boarding facilities, veterinary clinics, pet-friendly hotels, as well as homes of friends and relatives.
• Choose an identification method for each animal. Examples: microchipping and ID tags on collar. Have photos of yourself with your animals to prove ownership if you become separated.
• Keep your animals’ immunizations, (especially rabies) current and be sure to have copies of all important documents.
• Maintain a kit for each pet in a quickly accessible site: cage/carrier (large enough to stand and turn around in), leash, harness, bowls, three days of water and food, medications, health records/care instructions, microchip numbers, litter box/litter and clean-up supplies.
RETURNING HOME
• Avoid downed and sagging power lines. Report them immediately to the power company, police or fire department.
• Avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges and roadways.
• Enter your home with caution.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
• Be aware of snakes, insects, and other animals.
• Do not use candles or open flames indoors.
• Use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
• Take pictures. Photos of the damage will help in filing insurance claims. Contact your insurance claims agent as soon as possible.
• Inspect the utilities in your home.
• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can. From a safe place, call to report a gas leak to your utility provider. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
• Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if you smell something burning, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage and water line damage.
• If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid water from the tap.
• Learn how to apply for possible assistance.
• Let a relative know you are home.
RESOURCES
HURRICANE RESOURCES S.C. HURRICANE GUIDE
scemd.org
hurricane.sc
TOWN OF HILTON HEAD HURRICANE CENTER
hiltonheadislandsc.gov/hurricane
TOWN OF BLUFFTON
townofbluffton.sc.gov/
BEAUFORT COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
bcso.net
BEAUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NIXLE ALERTS
local.nixle.com/register/
CDC HURRICANE PREP
cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.html
ready.gov/hurricanes
FEMA
fema.gov
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
nhc.noaa.gov
SCDHEC CARELINE
1-855-472-3432
S.C. DEPARTMENT of INSURANCE
doi.sc.gov • 803-737-6160
803-768-3467
Sources: SCEMD. FEMA. BCSO.net. Town of Hilton Head. Town of Bluffton.
