The 2020 Hurricane season officially began on June 1st, 2020 and will continue through November 30th, 2020. Please see below for links and information on emergency preparedness presented by the SC Emergency Management Division, City of Charleston and Berkeley County.
SC Emergency Management Division:
The S.C. Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) has released the official 2020 South Carolina Hurricane Guide. SCEMD and partner agencies have updated the Guide for the 2019 hurricane season. It details useful information on what residents should do before, during and after the landfall of a major hurricane.
The online edition of the 2020 Hurricane Guide is available for download HERE. The South Carolina Hurricane Guide is updated annually by SCEMD in collaboration with local and state partners of the S.C. Emergency Response Team. All information contained in the Guide is valid at the time of publishing each year, but is subject to change depending on actual storm conditions.
Sections of the guide include watches and warnings, tips on insurance, tips on preparing for an evacuation with pets, your zone, basic disaster supplies to have and steps to keep in mind when returning home after a major storm.
SCEMD, county emergency managers and the National Weather Service urge citizens to take time now to prepare for major emergency like hurricanes by reviewing their family emergency plans, developing a disaster supplies kit and talking with family members about what could happen during a crisis.
The SCEMD website is a helpful tool and has numerous links to help you prepare for all sorts of disasters that could occur. You can view their website HERE.
City of Charleston:
Flood Zones: The City of Charleston also has some helpful information regarding flood zones on their website HERE. Some useful links include the latest FEMA Flood Maps, information on flood zone types, what to do before a flood and more. This information may be useful to residents should a flood occur.
Emergency Management: Charleston County’s Emergency Management Department (EMD) provides leadership and assistance in an effort to reduce the loss of life and property in Charleston County from a variety of man-made and natural hazards through an effective emergency management program based on the Four Phases of Emergency Management Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Find out more information on their website HERE.
Berkeley County Emergency Preparedness:
To serve the citizens of the County through effective planning for natural and man-made disasters. Berkeley County Emergency Preparedness goal is to save lives and to protect property through coordination of an integrated emergency management system with all emergency response organizations, support services and volunteers. The Berkeley County Emergency Preparedness Department continually works hard to ensure the County is prepared for any and all types of potential disasters. Find out more information on their website HERE.
When we are notified of a potential storm, we increase our communication to residents regarding the storm and additional useful information via our Newsletter, our website and our Facebook Page (Daniel Island Property Owners Association). We recommend all residents sign up for our Newsletter HERE as this is our best form of communication.
2020 Hurricane Season: Time, Space, People, Place – A Message from Governor Henry McMaster
Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed May 31 through June 6 to be South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week. Residents, businesses and communities in South Carolina should begin preparations for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Advanced preparation and planning safeguards lives, protects property and lessens the devastating impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes.
Hurricanes and tropical storms not only threaten the coast but all areas of South Carolina. Flooding from widespread, torrential rains is one of the most deadly and destructive hazards associated with tropical storms and hurricanes. High winds and tornadoes can cause severe damage to buildings and homes. All South Carolinians should take the time this week to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane by reviewing their family emergency plans, developing a disaster supply kit, reviewing insurance policies and talking with your family about what could happen during a disaster.
Hurricanes and Coronavirus
This year, residents should include COVID-19 safety precautions in every aspect of their hurricane plan.
“It will be crucial for everyone to take COVID-19 into consideration when updating their personal emergency plans. Residents’ first priority should be to protect themselves from a potential hurricane if an evacuation is issued for their communities,” says Director Stenson. “That’s why this year, for Hurricane Season 2020, we want everyone to remember these four words: time, space, people, place while getting ready for any hurricane that may head toward South Carolina.”
Time: give yourself time to prepare for a hurricane. Have a plan before you go out to get supplies so you spend less time interacting with others who may be infected. Do not wait until the last minute.
Space: make safe and social distancing a part of every aspect of your hurricane planning. Whether it’s stocking up on hurricane supplies or deciding where you will go if you need to evacuate. Do everything you can to stay at least 6 feet away from people you do not live with.
People: make sure all the people in your family know what to do to stay healthy. Remember, the more people your family interacts with, the greater your chances of contracting and possibly transmitting COVID-19.
Place: know where you will go once the evacuation order is issued for your area. Staying in a hotel or with family or friends far inland are the best options to protect yourself from COVID-19 and the storm.
The 20th annual South Carolina Hurricane Guide will be available for download at scemd.org beginning June 1. SCEMD and partner agencies have updated the Guide for the 2020 hurricane season. Printed editions of the Guide will be in all Walgreens stores statewide, at coastal DMV offices and in newspapers from Columbia to the coast beginning June 7.
In addition to the South Carolina Hurricane Guide, visit scemd.org to stay informed during an emergency. Our website is designed to make it easy to get the information you need before, during and after a major disaster, such as a hurricane. Download the South Carolina Emergency Manager mobile app as your official tool for emergency planning and follow the official @SCEMD accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected.
