Georgetown County to move to OPCON 1, emergency shelters to open for evacuees

Georgetown County will move to OPCON 1 and emergency shelters will open for evacuees at noon on Tuesday.

OPCON 1 is the highest state of emergency operations. It indicates that a disaster or emergency situation is in effect and that full-fledged emergency response operations are ongoing. Additionally, the county’s Emergency Operations Center is fully staffed and at 24-hour operation.

On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster ordered evacuation of Zones A, B, and C in Georgetown County beginning at noon on Tuesday. For those outside of evacuation zones who reside in mobile homes, who have special medical needs or are in areas that are prone to flooding with heavy rains, evacuation may also be advisable.

All residents in Northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina are encouraged to take this threat very seriously and prepare for potential landfall by a major hurricane and the possibility of catastrophic damage. The storm is 400 miles wide, meaning it will directly affect a large area.

Preparing for the storm:

Residents are advised to begin preparing their homes for a major hurricane and ready themselves for the possibility of evacuation. Recommended actions include:

Know where you and your family (including pets) will go in the event of an evacuation, and know your evacuation route. Remember that pets are not allowed in official evacuation shelters and plan accordingly for your animals.
Have an emergency supply kit ready. It should include at least three days of drinking water (2 gallons per person per day), non-perishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries; a portable battery-operated radio, first aid kit, non-electric can opener, essential medicines, cash and credit cards.
Protect your home by covering windows with permanent shutters, plywood panels or other shielding materials. Bring in lawn furniture and other loose objects, such as garbage cans and planters, which may become hazards during high winds. Georgetown County plans to announce a sandbag distribution point to assist residents in their preparations.
Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
Be sure trees and shrubs near your home are well-trimmed.
Clear clogged rain gutters and down spouts.
Fuel up and service family vehicles.
Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes, such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub or other large containers with water.

Shelters

Emergency shelters in Georgetown County will open at noon at the following locations:

Pleasant Hill Elementary School, 127 Schoolhouse Drive, Hemingway, SC
Andrews Elementary School, 13072 County Line Road, Andrews, SC

The public is reminded that pets, firearms and alcohol are not allowed in public shelters. Individuals can find locations that accept pets at petfriendlytravel.com. Pets left behind are unlikely to be able to survive alone, and if by chance they do, it is unlikely they will be able to be located after the storm. Do not leave pets chained outdoors.

Those heading to an emergency shelter should be prepared to provide anything they will need, including bedding.

Items to bring to a shelter include:

Any medications that will be needed
Blankets, pillows and/or sleeping bags
Eating utensils
One flashlight per person
Identification and valuable papers (such as tax bills, drivers licenses, utility bills)
Baby food and diapers, if necessary
Cards, games and books
Battery-operated radio
Extra Batteries
Drinking water
First aid kid
Non-perishable food
Toiletries

Shuttles

For those who need transportation to a shelter, shuttles will begin running from seven spots across the county at noon tomorrow. Two shuttles will run on a circuit throughout the day until 7 p.m. as needed, with the first leaving from Murrells Inlet at noon and the second leaving at 1 p.m. Shuttles will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Pickup locations will be at: