Hurricane Dorian Update #5

September 1, 2019 -- 3:00 pm
 
Hurricane Dorian is now a category 5 hurricane and westward movement in the vicinity of the Bahamas is continuing. The timing of the expected northward turn remains uncertain. In view of the increased strength of the storm it is anticipated that significant impacts will occur in our area beginning as early as late Tuesday, September 3rd, or early Wednesday, September 4th. Coastal areas have been experiencing flooding with high tides and on shore winds and that flooding will worsen with storm impacts. Once the expected northerly turn occurs, there will be increased precision and confidence in the forecast track and timing of local storm impacts.  As storm impacts intensify, residents should be prepared for power outages. In view of holiday traffic and impending storm impacts, residents whose planning contemplates evacuation should prepare to evacuate earlier than they otherwise would. Residents and rental guests are encouraged to consider evacuating in advance of a formal order to do so.
 
At his 2:00 pm press conference on September 1st, the Governor confirmed continued monitoring of the storm but did not issue an evacuation order. No evacuation order has been issued in the State. Charleston County Emergency Management Department remains at readiness status "Storm Impacts Likely", has fully activated its Emergency Operations Center and is prepared to raise its readiness status to "Storm Impacts Occurring or Imminent" on Monday September 2nd. The Town remains at readiness status "Storm Impacts Likely", expects to follow Charleston County's lead to increase its readiness status to "Storm Impacts Occurring or Imminent." The Town will hold a special meeting of Town Council at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, September 3rd, to take up declaration of a State of Emergency and to take such other actions as deemed appropriate to the circumstances at that time.
 
Town Hall will be closed at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, September 3rd, and will remain closed until further notice. Anyone having official business with the Town should plan accordingly.
 
Any resident who may require assistance with evacuation or who knows a resident they believe may require assistance with evacuation should contact the Town (843-768-9121) to provide name(s), address(es) and contact information.  
 
For emergency response call 911.
 
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 Monday, September 2nd.