CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has urged coastal counties, including Horry County, to prepare for a possible evacuation. This evacuation order will go into effect Tuesday, September 11, 2018, and will include Horry County Zones A, B, and C. In addition, evacuations include all low-lying areas, mobile homes, and campground sites.
The S.C. Department of Public Safety and the S.C. Department of Transportation along with supporting agencies will reverse the direction of traffic along certain evacuation routes at noon Tuesday to ease the flow of traffic away from the coast:
- Charleston to Columbia: A full four-lane reversal on I-26 in Charleston will begin at the interchange of I-26 and I-526. The full reversal continues west until the I-26 crossover to I-77 just outside Columbia in Lexington County.
- Horry County: Horry County has two four-lane reversals along US 501: SC 544 to US 378; and US 501: Between SC 22 (Conway Bypass) to SC 576 near Marion County.
- For the Beaufort and Hilton Head area, we will poise and be ready to reverse US 278 and US 21 if traffic conditions warrant.
American Red Cross shelters are prepared to open tomorrow for individuals who must evacuate. Please see the shelter list and evacuation route list below. Individuals are reminded to secure their property BEFORE they evacuate. Shelters should be considered as a place of last resort to ride out the storm, shelters may be crowded, do not accept pets and are not designed for comfort. When going to a shelter, citizens will need to take their own supplies such as batteries, bedding, identification, toiletries, clothing, etc…Shelters do not accept guns, alcohol or animals.
Once the Governor rescinds an evacuation order, Horry County Emergency Management will activate the Re-Entry Plan. Re-entry will occur in phases beginning with Level 1 access into the impacted areas. Municipalities may enforce their own identification procedures at checkpoints if deemed necessary.
Level 1
All public officials and personnel having key roles in life safety and the restoration of critical services after a disaster will be permitted to access the impacted area. All Level 1 personnel will be required to present and wear in full view an authorized employee identification badge. No personal vehicles will be permitted to enter impacted areas during Level 1 access, except governmental personal reporting for official business.
Level 2
This allows for reentry of critical support groups, relief workers, South Carolina Law Enforcement certified security officers, healthcare personnel, business owners/essential staff, insurance adjusters and any other person(s) authorized by the jurisdiction to provide services or reduce economic loss. All Level 2 personnel will be required to present and wear an authorized employee identification badge at checkpoints.
Level 3
Residents and business operators will have access to areas that have been deemed safe by the authority having jurisdiction. When possible, every effort should be made to safely assist these persons to their property if access is limited. All residents and business operations must show proper identification to enter an impacted area. Residents with special needs will be assisted back into their dwellings once sufficient support services are available to assist.
Re-Entry for Residents & Property Owners
- Residents should have proper identification to gain admittance. Identification may include a valid government-issued photo ID card showing the location of the property. Out of state property owners with residential or commercial properties within the affected area(s) must show a valid government-issued photo identification and current documentation to verify the need for re-entry such as a utility bill, deed, property tax notice, etc…
Re-Entry for Business Owners & Essential Employees
- Business owners/operators will need proper identification to gain admittance to impacted areas such as a current business license, company photo ID card, lease documents or other official documents showing the location of the property and a valid government issued ID card.
- Essential staff/employees will also need proper identification such as a valid business or government issued ID card and an essential employee authorization letter on official company letterhead provided by the business. This letter should include a request for admittance, the employees’ name and be signed by the business owner/operator.
The forecast for Hurricane Florence may change as the storm gets closer to the coast, residents are strongly urged to monitor local news for the most up-to-date information. In addition, citizens should survey their property to make sure outside objects are secured. It is also recommended that you review your hurricane plans now.
Know Your Zone
Additionally, it’s important to “Know Your Zone” with maps aimed at making evacuations easier. Hurricane predictions are getting better all the time, but scientists still can’t stop a storm. This is why it is especially important to Know Your Zone.
There are three zones, and it’s simple to find yours online. All you have to do is type your address here.
Evacuation areas for ZONE A include:
- All areas east of U.S. Business 17 up to the intersection with US 17
- All areas east of U.S. 17 to the northern county line
Evacuation areas for ZONE B include:
- Areas South of Highway 707 and Longwood Drive
- All areas in Longwood Plantation to the Waccamaw River
- All areas east of US 17 Bypass to US 17
- All areas east of US 17 to the northern county line
Evacuation areas for ZONE C include:
- Areas between Hwy 701 and Hwy 544
- South of Brown’s Chapel Avenue and Hwy 814
- All areas east of Highway 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) to Hwy 90
- All areas east of Highway 90 to US 17 to the northern county line