Hurricane Matthew threat prompts coastal evacuation order

It’s time to leave. That was the message issued by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley at a press conference this afternoon in response to the growing threat from Hurricane Matthew. Gov. Haley ordered a mandatory evacuation of the state’s coastal counties, including Charleston County and Berkeley County, beginning tomorrow afternoon - although she said citizens are free to leave earlier if desired. The storm is forecast to be a Category 2 or 3 by the time it impacts the South Carolina coast Friday and Saturday.

“We’re hoping (the storm) shifts,” said Gov. Haley. “But at this point, we do need to be smart…We’re urging everybody to not take this lightly.”

An estimated 1.1 million people are part of the evacuation order, said Haley. Lane reversals on key evacuation highways, such as I-26, are expected to begin at 3  p.m. tomorrow. The Governor declared a state of emergency in South Carolina this morning, urging medical evacuations to begin taking place Tuesday afternoon. Storm surges between five to seven feet are possible, she said, as well as winds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

“This is something we want to take very seriously moving forwards,” Haley added.

The Governor urged residents in affected communities to fill up vehicles now with fuel in preparation for extended travel times. She asked evacuees to “get 100 miles away from the South Carolina coast.” To find out specific evacuation routes, residents are urged to visit the website www.scemd.org, click on “Hurricane Matthew” and then click on “Know Your Zone” to enter your address.

The Charleston County and Berkeley County School Districts will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. According to Gov. Haley, the closing of multiple districts along the coast will free up buses for transporting evacuees, allow facilities to be used as shelters if needed, and to give citizens time to make travel preparations. The Berkeley County School District reported Tuesday afternoon that essential personnel including maintenance and facilities, technology, school administrators, Superintendent’s cabinet and school custodians will report tomorrow morning and be released at 2 p.m. to prepare schools for the impending weather.

District officials are also working closely with Berkeley County Emergency Preparedness Center to prepare some schools to open as shelters on Wednesday, October 5. In the Daniel Island/Cainhoy community, Cainhoy Elementary/Middle School will be a designated shelter. Additionally, all extracurricular activities and sporting events to take place on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday are canceled and information concerning rescheduling will be released when it becomes available.

“South Carolina is strong,” added Haley. “I am proud of Team SC…We’re ready, we’re comfortable, and we know everything is in place to get people where they need to go safely…We have done a table top (exercise) every year, waiting for this moment…We’ve practiced this for six years. Now we’ll put it into place.”

Governor Haley also noted that if the forecast changes, she and her team will alter plans as needed and keep the public informed.

Helpful emergency preparedness links

How to prepare for a hurricane:

http://www.scemd.org/planandprepare/disasters/hurricanes

What to pack in a family emergency kit:

http://www.scemd.org/planandprepare/preparedness/emergencykit