Hurricane Dorian Update #11

​September 4, 2019                                                                            1:30 pm
 
Hurricane Dorian is now a category 2 hurricane and has begun a slow northward movement off the coast of Florida at approximate latitude of Jacksonville. It is anticipated that heavy rainfall (6” – 10” up to 6” – 12”) and tropical storm force winds with the potential for hurricane force gusts in our area will begin as early as Wednesday afternoon, September 4th. National Weather Service Charleston estimates that Dorian will be a category 2 hurricane and 35 – 50 miles offshore when it reaches Charleston. NWS Charleston cautions, that while that distance may appear substantial, the storm’s wind field is expanding. With midday high tide September 5, storm surge inundation of 4' - 7' is expected. Isolated tornadoes are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening September 4. We urge residents to monitor National Weather Service updates for current information on the storm. The coast of Charleston County is currently under a Hurricane Warning (hurricane impacts expected within the next 48 hours).
 
            Charleston County EMS has advised that its personnel will not respond to calls when sustained winds reach 40 mph. As a matter of policy, Charleston County has two advisory conditions for high-span or exposed bridges: when sustained winds reach 30 mph it will declare a condition yellow, meaning high profile vehicles are to stay off those bridges; when sustained winds reach 40 mph it will declare a condition red meaning all vehicles are to stay off those bridges. The Town will issue notice to residents of the active advisory condition. St. Johns Fire District has received two high water vehicles and two Hum Vees and those will be out in the community on September 4 to familiarize attending National Guard personnel with the area. In the event of relocation of apparatus by SJFD, the Town will be informed and will publish that information. In the event of equipment relocation, residents should expect delays in fire and hazard response.
 
Charleston County Emergency Management Department and the Town remain at readiness status "Storm Impacts Occurring or Imminent". At the special Town Council meeting held on Tuesday, September 3d, Council approved Declaration of a State of Emergency by which the Mayor is vested with certain powers to respond to emergency events as set forth in the ordinance (Town Code Sec.2-27). Town Hall closed at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, September 3d and will remain closed until further notice.
 
Berkeley Electric Cooperative has not made a decision as to whether to pre-emptively cut power, but maintains that possibility as circumstances dictate. The Town will publish that determination when notified by BEC.
 
Evacuated residents should not attempt to return to the Island until the Governor has lifted the evacuation order and the Town has confirmed that it is appropriate for residents to do so. The Town has established criteria for resident return which include availability of emergency services and sewer and water services and completion of debris removal from the roads within the Town.    
 
For emergency response call 911
For questions concerning non-emergency assistance during a state of emergency, call the Charleston County Citizen’s Information Hotline (843-746-3900)
 
For emergency response updates and announcements from the Town of Seabrook Island:
 
Continue to monitor the Town's website (https://www.townofseabrookisland.org);
Call the Town's toll-free number (888-314-3177);
Follow the Town's TWITTER feed (twitter.com/seabrookislnd87); or
Follow the Town's FACEBOOK page (facebook.com/townofseabrookisland)
 
Property Owners with rental guests should forward this notice to their rental guests.
 
The next Town update is expected to be afternoon on Thursday, September 5th, but will issue updates earlier as appropriate to the circumstances.