Hurricane Preparedness
Earthquakes | Hurricanes | Other disasters
Living in the South Carolina Lowcountry often puts us in the line of danger for tropical storms and hurricanes. While there are a number of resources in the state that are well equipped to handle these sorts of situations, below you will find links to several emergency numbers and websites that could be useful in the event of an emergency at home. Most important is to heed the Scout’s motto and “Be Prepared”. Should you have questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.
GET A GAME PLAN
The following are web sites and contact information for various federal and state agencies:
- South Carolina Emergency Management Division
- Department of Transportation Hurricane Evacuation Routes
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
TOP TIPS TO BE PREPARED:
***Click here for the full SC Emergency Management Division Hurricane Guide***
- Make plans to protect your property such as storm shutters or plywood for windows. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. Bring things indoors including lawn furniture, toys, trash cans or anything that could fly through a window.
- Learn evacuation routes and contraflow procedures. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you need to evacuate. You can get information on the Hurricane Evacuation Routes here.
- Gather personal documents, including Social Security cards, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, etc. Make a record of these documents and all valuable possessions.
- Keep your automobile fully fueled; if electric power is cut off, gas stations may not be able to operate pumps for several days.
- Be prepared to survive on your own for a few days. Assemble a disaster kit. Include a battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, blankets, clothing, food and water, prescription medications and medical supplies.
- Talk to your family about the dangers hurricanes can present. Plan a centralized meeting place for your family in case you are separated from one another. Choose an out of state family member or friend for everyone to contact and check in with.
- If you are receiving Social Security or Veterans Benefits make sure you have direct deposit. This will ensure you receive all of your benefits if you have to evacuate. The Social Security Administration's telephone number is 800-772-1213 or visit their website. The Veterans Administration's telephone number is 877-222-8387 or visit their website.
- Know how to shut off utilities. Know where gas pilots are located and how the heating and air-conditioning system works. If you have any questions, contact your local utility company.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Local & Nearby County Information
Beaufort County:
- Website: www.co.beaufort.sc.us/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/beaufortcountysc/
- Twitter: @bftcountysc
Berkeley County:
- Website: berkeleycountysc.gov/drupal/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/BerkeleySCGov/
- Twitter: @BerkeleySCGov
Charleston County:
- Website: www.charlestoncounty.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChasCountyGov/
- Twitter: @ChasCountyGov
Colleton County:
- Website: www.colletoncounty.org/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ColletonCountyParksAndRecreation/
- Twitter: @ColletonCounty
Dorchester County:
- Website: www.dorchestercountysc.gov/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/DorchesterSCGov/
- Twitter: @DorchesterSCGov
Road Closures/Weather
- 511sc.org or sign up for email and text alerts at My511SC
- SC Department of Transportation - Lowcountry: @SCDOTLowCountry
- National Weather Service Twitter: @NWSCharlestonSC
- National Hurricane Center - Atlantic Division: @NHC_Atlantic
Government
Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Twitter: @FEMA
- Register Damages: www.disasterassistance.gov
- Phone: 800-621-FEMA (3362)
South Carolina Emergency Management Division
- Website: https://www.scemd.org/
- Twitter: @SCEMD
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SCEMD
- Beaufort County Emergency Management:
- Phone: 843-255-4000
- Website: www.bcso.net/emergency-management-division
- Twitter: @BCSOTraffic
- Berkeley County Emergency Management:
- Phone: 843-719-4166
- Website: www.berkeleycountysc.gov/drupal/emergency
- Charleston County Emergency Management:
- Phone: 843-746-3800
- Website: www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/emergency-management/index.php
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/EMDChasCo/
- Twitter: @chascountygov
- Cell Phone App: Search in the app store for "CCEMD"
- ***Click here for the full Charleston County Hurricane Guide***
- Colleton County Emergency Management:
- Phone: 843-549-5632
- Website: www.colletoncounty.org/emergency-preparedness
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Colletoncountyfire/
- Twitter: @ColletonFire
- Dorchester County Emergency Management:
- Phone: 843-832-0341
- Website: www.dorchestercountysc.gov/emd
- Twitter: @DorchesterCoEMD
U.S. Small Business Administration
- Disaster Customer Service Center: 800-659-2955
Other Services
Pet Rescue
- www.charlestonanimalsociety.org/disaster-preparedness/
- www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/disaster-preparedness
Electric and Water Companies
- SCE&G
- Power Outage: 888-333-4465
- Gas Leak: 800-815-0083
- Santee Cooper
- Main: 843-761-8000
- Outage Reporting: 888-239-2300
- Berkeley Electric Co-op: 888-253-4232
- Palmetto Electric Co-op: 866-445-5551
- Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority
- Beaufort: 843-987-9200
- Bluffton: 843-707-0017
- After-hours emergency: 843-987-9200
Telephone and Internet Companies
- Hargray: 877-HARGRAY (877-427-4729)
- CenturyLink: 866-706-8592
- Verizon: 800-922-0204
- Home Telecom: 888-746-4482
- Spectrum: 877-892-8477
- Comcast: 800-934-6489
- AT&T Uverse Voice Service: 800-288-2020
- Dish Network: 877-653-0020
- Charter: 855-821-0579
- Cox: 855-821-0520
Transportation, Shelter, and Community Assistance
- Palmetto Breeze: 843-757-5782
- HELP of Beaufort: 843-524-1223
- Charleston Country Emergency Citizen Line: 843-202-7100
Other Emergency Preparedness Twitter Handles to Follow
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control: @scdhec
- Red Cross: @RedCrossSC
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): @CDCemergency