Hurricane Florence Update #5

Hurricane Florence Update #5
​September 12, 2018 -- 2:00 PM

As of 11:00 am on Wednesday, 12 September, the National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Florence remained a category 4 storm (sustained winds of 130 – 156 mph) and the forecasted path and timing of landfall remains uncertain. The Governor’s evacuation order for all of Charleston County remains in effect as of 12 September. As of noon on Wednesday, 12 September, the emergency response readiness status of Charleston County Emergency Management Department remains at OPCON 1, and its emergency information telephone service (843-746-3900) was continuously available.

The Town’s emergency response readiness status remains at OPCON 1 and the Town’s State of Emergency remains in effect. As of 5:00 pm 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 Seabrook Island Property Owners Association has arranged with its security contractor to have security personnel posted at the security gate throughout the storm. From 5:00 pm, 12 September, security officers may request proof of residency or property ownership to allow access through the gate; no guest passes will be honored.

On Wednesday, Berkeley Electric confirmed that it had no current intentions to pre-emptively cut power; it may do so if circumstances change and conditions worsen. The Town will notify residents of any change in that regard immediately upon being advised accordingly by Berkeley Electric. The Seabrook Island Utility Commission has brought in generators and by-pass pumps and is prepared to provide backup power generation for the sewerage system should there be an extended power outage. Seabrook Island Utility Commission has no present intention to interrupt water or sewerage services.

The Town urges residents to continue to monitor reporting of Hurricane Florence (e.g., www.nhc.noaa.gov) 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 Thursday, 13 September.