MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – South Carolina’s transportation department says its crews are closely watching the forecast, they want to make sure staff and equipment are ready to check roads if needed when Tropical Storm Hermine hits our area.
“Basically, just checking out all our equipment to make sure everything is working properly as it should, back hoes you know dump trucks chain saws . making sure you know operating as they should just in case the wind you know blows trees down or limbs or anything like that,” said Shannon Welch a maintenance engineer with SCDOT.
To try to ensure smooth driving conditions, SCDOT puts a temporary stop on major construction projects each Labor Day weekend. That means no lane closures from 6 o’clock Friday morning until 6 next Tuesday morning, unless there’s an emergency.
“To make sure everything’s open and cleared up for traffic with people coming into town for the weekend,” said Welch.
AAA expects more than 460,000 people in the Palmetto State will travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday weekend.
The agency is urging drivers to think twice about traveling bad weather on its way, so that number could be affected by the stormy weather.
If you do decide to travel, AAA advises using caution and be prepared for delays. Drivers are encouraged to pack storm supplies like food, water, flashlights and a first aid case just in case.
If things get really bad, AAA encourages drivers to stay off the roads unless it’s absolutely necessary.
SCDOT will be working to ensure roads remain clear, but officials say drivers need to do their part to stay safe.
“Keep watching the weather, and see what the amount of rain is going to be; and just be cautious if you’re out driving and if you see water crossing the road, because you don’t know how deep it is. So, if you have to, just turn around and go a different route,” said Welch.
The South Carolina emergency management division will also keep a close eye on Hermine. They said that people in low-lying areas, especially along the coast, should prepare for possible flooding.
