Hurricanes
Given its location on a barrier island, the Town of Seabrook Island is vulnerable to tropical cyclones, including damaging wind, storm surge and flooding. Charleston County’s Emergency Management Division will lead the regional response to hurricanes and, when necessary, will coordinate regional evacuation and recovery efforts with state and federal officials.
The safe and effective evacuation of Seabrook Island’s residents, visitors, employees and other individuals is a primary goal. The single road leaving the town, combined with evacuation traffic from nearby Kiawah Island and Johns Island, means that EARLY EVACUATION is essential to limiting traffic congestion. Once evacuation is ordered, traffic control along evacuation routes can be expected to further limit travel options. After a hurricane, recovery operations will be conducted as quickly and safely as possible. Three different groups of individuals will be authorized for re-entry to the Town, and recovery operations will be conducted in phases as each group is permitted to enter the Town. The first group (Phase I) will be limited to emergency response personnel, town officials and approved officials from the town’s principal organizations: the Seabrook Island Property Owners’ Association (SIPOA), Seabrook Island Club, Camp St. Christopher, Bohicket Marina and the Seabrook Island Utility Commission. This first group will conduct a preliminary damage assessment to guide initial recovery operations. A second group of individuals (Phase II) will then be permitted for re-entry to the Town to conduct the initial recovery operations. Once the Town’s essential infrastructure and services are sufficiently restored for the town to resume regular operations, the third group of individuals (Phase III), all residents, will be allowed to re-enter the town. Information for residents regarding emergency response and recovery will be communicated through public information statements issued via one or more of: Code Red warning system, local media, the Town website the Town “800” number (888-314-3177) and e-mail based on the Property Owners Association e-mail list. The Town’s Twitter account (@SeabrookIslnd87) will be used for notices of information updates available at the website or “800” number.
It is important that you not attempt to return to Seabrook Island unless and until you have been advised it is safe to do so.
ResourcesFive Steps to Preparing an Effective Evacuation Plan
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