CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Matthew has strengthened to Category 4 storm as of late Thursday morning.
As Hurricane Matthew continues to threaten the southeastern United States, Governor Nikki Haley today ordered an evacuation of coastal areas in and around Horry and Georgetown, South Carolina. Lowcounty government officials are encouraging citizens to leave the area ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Please take a moment to review your current evacuation route.
Click here for Coastal Evacuation Routes
Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley County Evacuation Zones:
Zone A: West of the Ashley River — Unincorporated areas of Charleston County from the Ashley River to the Colleton County line; Atlantic Ocean to the Dorchester County Line. This includes the Town of Hollywood, Town of Meggett, Town of Ravenel, City of Folly Beach, Town of Rockville, Town of Kiawah Island, the Town of Seabrook Island, James Island, Johns Island, Wadmalaw, and unincorporated Charleston County.
Zone B: Central Charleston — From the tip of the Peninsula to Ladson Road; from the Ashley River to the Wando River. This includes City of Charleston, City of North Charleston, the Town of Lincolnville, Daniel Island, Thomas Island, and unincorporated Charleston County.
Zone C: East of the Wando River — Unincorporated areas of Charleston County from the Atlantic Ocean to the Berkeley County line; Wando River to the Georgetown County line. This includes the Town of Mount Pleasant, Town of Isle of Palms, Town of Sullivan’s Island, Town of Awendaw, the Town of McClellanville, Dewees Island, Capers Island, and Goat Island.
Zone D: Sand Hills Area — West of Dorchester Road and the Ashley River, 17A to the Colleton County line and all areas bordering Charleston County. (Zone D may be triggered by Charleston County’s decision to evacuate Zone A.)
Zone E: Miles Jamison/Oakbrook Area — Miles Jamison Road, between Ladson Road, to Bacons Bridge Road: including the Lakes of Summerville, Newington Plantation, Crestwood Subdivision south to Orangeburg Road, and South Main
Mobile Home Park.
Zone F: The Swamp — Any other low-lying areas including the Cypress Swamp area, the Edisto River area and the Twin Lakes Subdivision. (This zone will be triggered depending on storm category and landfall location.)
CHARLESTON COUNTY
Charleston County’s Emergency Management Department is monitoring the potential path of Hurricane Matthew. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) moved to OPCON 1 Wednesday, October, 5 at 3 p.m.
The Citizen’s Information Line is now active:
(843) 746 – 3900
TTY (843) 746 – 3911
Spanish (843) 746 – 3909
Charleston County Citizen Alert System: Charleston County residents should register for the Charleston County Citizen Alert System, a free program that allows the public to receive voicemail, text message, and e-mail notifications about emergency situations. Click here to register online.
RELATED: Charleston Co. bus stop pickup and shelter locations
The following shelters are open in Charleston County:
North Charleston High School, 1087 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
Matilda Dunston Elementary School, 1825 Remount Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406
Stall High School, 3625 Ashley Phosphate Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418
A.C. Corcoran Elementary, 8585 Vistavia Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406
Midland Park Primary, 2415 Midland Park Road, North Charleston, SC 29406
Ladson Elementary, 3321 Ladson Rd, Ladson, SC 29456
Edmund A. Burns Elementary, 3750 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29405 (Pet owner & Pets Emergency Shelter)
CARTA will assist in transporting citizens from downtown emergency pickup locations (blue hurricane stop signs) beginning at 8:00 a.m. Thursday until dark. Those requesting a ride from downtown Charleston are asked to call (843) 724-7420. Transportation will be provided to an available Charleston County hurricane shelter.
All City of Charleston parking garage locations will be open to the public to park their cars through the storm for free. Gates will be open starting at 3 p.m., Wednesday, October 5 through 8 a.m., Monday, October 10. Citizens should be advised that these facilities will not be staffed during the storm. Elevators will not be operational. Do not park on the ground level or the top deck.
FOLLY BEACH
The City will begin restricting access at 8 a.m. Wednesday, October 5. Only residents, property owners, and business employees with proof/ID will be permitted to access the island after that time. The beach will be closed to visitors.
Officials ask that all businesses submit a list of essential employees to swetmore@cityoffollybeach.com. Those employees should have personal identification, or employees may bring employer ID, or a copy of business license
Re-entry to the island after the hurricane threat passes will be determined by Public Safety and Department of Transportation.
Residents, property owners, and business employees will be permitted re-entry before the general public in phases, depending Please bring two forms of identification.
For all citizen and visitor questions, please contact Folly Beach Dispatch at 843-588-2433 or the Charleston County Citizen Information Line at 843-746-3900 (non-emergency) or call 911 in an emergency.
Emergency Transportation to Shelters
Emergency Transportation Pickup Points on James Island:
Fast Point Food Store – 1029 Harbor View Road (Harbor View Road at Quail Drive)
Wal-Mart—1231 Folly Road and Griffith Road
Folly Beach Shopping Center – 907 Folly Road (Camp Road and Folly Road)
Harris Teeter – 1739 Maybank Highway and Folly Road
Hot Wheels – 1523 Folly Road
Camp Center – 1238 Camp Road
Harris Teeter – 1985 Folly Road and Sol Legare Road
Harris Teeter – 675 Folly Road
Murray Elementary School – 691 Riverland Drive
James Island High School – 1000 Ft. Johnson Road
Hideaway Pizza Kitchen – 608AHarborview & Clearview, near Ft. Johnson
Those residents with special medical needs please call 843-953-0070 to contact a DHEC representative.
ISLE OF PALMS
Isle of Palms full-time residents must have a hurricane re-entry sticker in order to return to the island after a storm. To request a Hurricane Re-Entry Sticker, residents may visit the Public Safety Building at 30 J.C. Long Boulevard.
Residents must bring the vehicle registration and driver’s license. Limit of three hurricane re-entry stickers per household.
This storm may cause extensive severe beach erosion, strong winds and flooding as early as Friday. Emergency actions allowed to protect property requires an “Emergency Orders.” Emergency Orders are available for property owners along the immediate beachfront for temporary protection from wave uprush. Property owners in need of Emergency Orders for sandbags and/or sand scraping should immediately contact DHEC-OCRM for assistance 843-953-0200. Contact should be made prior to installation of sandbags or any other associated emergency activities on the beachfront.
Bonding requirements for emergency orders associated with sandbags will be addressed once emergency conditions have abated.
IOP Police Department Non-Emergency Number: 843-886-6522.
JAMES ISLAND
The City will begin restricting access at 8 a.m. Wednesday, October 5. Only residents, property owners, and business employees with proof/ID will be permitted to access the island after that time. The beach will be closed to visitors.
Officials ask that all businesses submit a list of essential employees to swetmore@cityoffollybeach.com. Those employees should have personal identification, or employees may bring employer ID, or a copy of business license
Re-entry to the island after the hurricane threat passes will be determined by Public Safety and Department of Transportation.
Residents, property owners, and business employees will be permitted re-entry before the general public in phases, depending Please bring two forms of identification.
For all citizen and visitor questions, please contact Folly Beach Dispatch at 843-588-2433 or the Charleston County Citizen Information Line at 843-746-3900 (non-emergency) or call 911 in an emergency.
Emergency Transportation to Shelters
Buses will go to the Emergency Pickup Points and take those who need transportation and shelter to Emergency Shelters here in the Lowcountry
Emergency Transportation Pickup Points on James Island:
Fast Point Food Store – 1029 Harbor View Road (Harbor View Road at Quail Drive)
Wal-Mart—1231 Folly Road and Griffith Road
Folly Beach Shopping Center – 907 Folly Road (Camp Road and Folly Road)
Harris Teeter – 1739 Maybank Highway and Folly Road
Hot Wheels – 1523 Folly Road
Camp Center – 1238 Camp Road
Harris Teeter – 1985 Folly Road and Sol Legare Road
Harris Teeter – 675 Folly Road
Murray Elementary School – 691 Riverland Drive
James Island High School – 1000 Ft. Johnson Road
Hideaway Pizza Kitchen – 608AHarborview & Clearview, near Ft. Johnson
Those residents with special medical needs please call 843-953-0070 to contact a DHEC representative.
BERKELEY COUNTY
Berkeley County’s Emergency Management Department is monitoring the potential path of Hurricane Matthew. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will move to OPCON 1 at 3 p.m.
The Citizen’s Information Line is now active. By calling 843-719-4800, residents will be able to get updated information from the County’s Emergency Preparedness Department on Hurricane Matthew, and they will also have the opportunity to report issues that the County should be aware of including impassable roadways due to flooding or downed trees.
Shelters will be open at the following locations in Berkeley County:
Cross High School (located at 1293 Old Highway 6 in Cross) will open at 3 p.m.
Berkeley Middle School (located at 320 North Live Oak Drive)
Westview Primary – 98 Westview Boulevard, Goose Creek, SC (Special Needs Shelter) * This special medical needs shelter are for individuals who must have an attendant with them
Westview Middle – 101 Westview Boulevard, Goose Creek, SC
Berkeley Elementary – 715 Main Street, Moncks Corner, SC
St. Stephen Elementary – 1053 Russellville Road, St. Stephen, SC
Cainhoy Elementary – 2434 Cainhoy Road, Huger, SC
Cane Bay High – 1624 State Road, Summerville, SC (Animal-Friendly) * Animals must be caged
DORCHESTER COUNTY
Charleston County’s Emergency Management Department is monitoring the potential path of Hurricane Matthew. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will move to OPCON 2 Wednesday, October, 5 at 8 a.m.
The American Red Cross has open the following shelters in Dorchester County:
Summerville High School 1101 Boone Hill Rd. Summerville, SC 29483
Fort Dorchester High School 8500 Patriot Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29420
Saint George Middle School 600 Minus St, St. George, SC 29477
Oakbrook Middle School 286 Old Fort Drive Ladson, SC 29456
Two shelters in Dorchester County have been placed on standby due to low occupancy rates. Residents who arrived at the Woodland High School location will be transported to the Saint George Middle School shelter. Residents who arrive at Dubose Middle School will be transported to the Summerville High School shelter. Both Woodland High and Dubose Middle School shelters will return to full operational status as the need arises.
Woodland High School 4128 Hwy 78 Dorchester, SC 29437
Dubose Middle School 1005 DuBose School Rd. Summerville, SC 29483 *On standby status until it is needed
Residents evacuating to a shelter should pack minimally, bringing only the essentials i.e. bedding (Blankets or sleeping bag, pillows, air mattresses or cot/s if you have one) personal hygiene products, a form of identification, all medications, important documents and a change of clothes for 3-4 days.
Due to a low number of residents in need of transport to a Shelter Tri-County Links will suspend service at 10p. Service will resume at 8a
— Dorchester County (@DorchesterSCGov) October 6, 2016
Pickup locations for residents in need of transportation to one of the above shelters have been established at the below locations. Shuttles will begin running at 8:00 a.m. on Friday. Wheelchair assessable shuttles will be provided by Tri-County Links, all shuttles will be Dorchester District Two Buses.
Locations that will transport to Summerville High School:
Sears Parking Lot 4570 Ladson Road Summerville, SC 29485
BI-LO Parking Lot 957 Bacons Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29483
Sand Hill Methodist Church 1916 Summers Drive, Summerville, SC 29472
Due to a low number of residents currently in need of wheelchair accessible transportation to a Shelter Tri-County Links will suspend service at 10:00 PM tonight. Service will resume at 8:00 AM, Friday, October 7, 2016. Dorchester District Two buses will continue to run as needed from the below pick-up locations
Locations that will transport to Summerville High School:
Sears Parking Lot 4570 Ladson Road Summerville, SC 29485
BI-LO Parking Lot 957 Bacons Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29483
Sand Hill Methodist Church 1916 Summers Drive, Summerville, SC 29472
Locations that will Transport to Fort Dorchester High School:
Festival Center Parking Lot 5101 Ashley Phosphate Rd. North Charleston, SC 29418
Cathedral of Praise Parking Lot 3790 Ashley Phosphate Rd. North Charleston, SC 29418
The Citizens Call Center will open at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5. Staff will be standing by to answer citizens’ questions at 843-832-0393 and/or 843-563-0393.
COLLETON COUNTY
Colleton County’s Emergency Management Department is monitoring the potential path of Hurricane Matthew. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will move to OPCON 1 at 3 p.m.
The following shelter will be open at 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 5 to evacuees:
Colleton County Middle School, 1739 Mighty Cougar Dr, Walterboro, SC
GEORGETOWN COUNTY
Georgetown County residents in Zone A are encouraged to begin preparing for evacuation and leave earlier if possible.
Residents unsure of what zone they live in can look up that information by street address using the GIS mapping system available at www.gtcounty.org.
Georgetown County will have an increased law enforcement presence on the roads today to help facilitate evacuation and ensure things run smoothly. There will also be law enforcement patrolling communities with in the evacuation area (Zone A) to protect property.
According to Georgetown County officials, the Georgetown bridges will not close, except in cases of structural damage or if there is a wreck or other incident that requires emergency responders to close lanes temporarily while they clear the scene. Also, there are no lane reversals scheduled at this time in Georgetown County.
Prior to the evacuation, an emergency shelter will open Wednesday, October 5 at 10 a.m. at Andrews Elementary School, 13072 County Line Rd. If you need transportation, seven locations around the county will serve as pickup spots to shuttle residents to the shelter. Two shuttles will run on a circuit throughout the day, with the first leaving from Murrells Inlet at 7 a.m. and the second leaving at 8 a.m. Trips will continue as needed throughout the day.
Pickup spots will be located at:
Food Lion in Murrells Inlet, 760 Mink Ave. (Hwy. 707 and Hwy. 17)
Waccamaw Middle School, 247 Wildcat Way, Pawleys Island
Waccamaw Elementary School, 1364 Waverly Rd., Pawleys Island
St. Mary’s AME Church, 8833 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island
Tractor Supply Co., 1295 N. Fraser St., Georgetown
Food Lion in Maryville, 2234 S. Fraser St., Georgetown
Those evacuating after the order goes into effect at 3 p.m. will have to follow established evacuation routes. There will be no travel restrictions for those leaving prior to the evacuation.
WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY
Williamsburg County Emergency Management Division has opened shelters at the following locations:
Hemingway High School located at 400 South Main Street, Hemingway, S.C.
C.E. Murray High School located at 95 C.E. Murray Blvd.Greeleyville, S.C.
Kingstree Senior High School located at 601 Martin Luther King Hwy., Kingstree, S.C.
Citizens are asked to bring medications, personal items, portable beds, and linens.