Hurricane Florence Update #4

Hurricane Florence Update #4
​September 11, 2018 -- 2:00 PM

As of 11:00 am on Tuesday, 11 September, the National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Florence remains a category 4 storm (sustained winds of 130 – 156 mph). While the Governor has announced changes to the evacuation order, the evacuation order remains in effect for all of Charleston County. To facilitate the evacuation, all eastbound lanes on I-26 between Columbia and Charleston have been reversed as of 12:00 pm Tuesday. Charleston County Emergency Management Department increased its emergency readiness status to OPCON 1 on Tuesday, 11 September.

In accordance with Town policy to follow the lead of Charleston County, on Tuesday, 11 September, the Town increased its emergency response readiness status to OPCON 1, reflecting the existence of an evacuation order applicable to the Town. Also effective Tuesday, 11 September, the Mayor declared a State of Emergency and ordered that all Town meetings, including board and commission meetings, scheduled for the week of 11 September be rescheduled to a later date. Town Hall was closed noon on 11 September and will remain closed until the Governor’s evacuation order is lifted. While circumstances may change, Berkeley Electric has confirmed that, as of now, it does not intend to pre-emptively cut power to Seabrook Island. The Seabrook Island Utility Commission is not planning to interrupt water or sewerage services.

As of 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 12 September, Charleston County Sheriff’s deputies will be stationed between the Freshfields traffic circle and the entrance from Betsy Kerrison Parkway to Kiawah’s Town Hall to control access to Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. To gain access to Seabrook Island, motorists will be required to show residency or property ownership.

The Town urges residents to continue to monitor reporting of Hurricane Florence and emergency response agencies for changes pertaining to potential storm impacts. Information concerning residential hurricane preparations is available at the Town’s website (townofseabrookisland.org) under “Emergency Preparedness.” While forecasts of movement of Hurricane Florence currently indicate movement of the most severe impacts north of Charleston County, the Town encourages residents to adhere to the Governor’s evacuation order. 
 
For emergency response, please call 911.
 
For questions concerning non-emergency assistance during a state of emergency, please call the Charleston County Citizen’s Information Hotline at (843) 746-3900.
 
For emergency updates and announcements from the Town of Seabrook Island:

• Continue to monitor the town's website at townofseabrookisland.org
• Call our toll free number at (888) 314-3177
• Follow the town's Twitter feed at twitter.com/seabrookislnd87
• Follow the town's Facebook page at facebook.com/townofseabrookisland

 
Property Owners with rental guests should forward this notice to their rental guests.
 
It is expected that the next Hurricane Florence information update will be issued early afternoon on Wednesday, 12 September.