Beaufort Co. is ‘well prepared’ for hurricane season. McMaster urges residents do the same
For South Carolinians facing what forecasters are calling an “above average” Atlantic hurricane season, Gov. Henry McMaster is certain early preparation is the best defense.
Especially for Beaufort County residents. After all, there’s a reason it’s called the Lowcountry.
“It’s low, which means the water can get here a lot quicker than anywhere else,” McMaster said Friday in Beaufort during his final stop of a statewide flyover through hurricane-prone areas.
The low-lying land is particularly vulnerable to flooding where the water can get deep more quickly than in northern counties of the state. And to add fuel to the fire, a growing population in Beaufort in the past few years means if a hurricane forces an evacuation, funneling out of the area can be more challenging.
Even since Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Irma a year later, South Carolina’s landscape has changed, Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner said during governor’s visit.
“When you look at the coastal South Carolina, on the real estate side, there’s not a lot of real estate left to buy, so we know we’ve had a huge influx,” Tanner said. “The challenges for us ... is evacuations as we move the citizens of South Carolina inward for safety, we’ve got a lot more people that we’re moving.”
The issue? Traffic backups when evacuating.
But state and local agencies say they are “very well prepared,” McMaster said. Though, it could be a tumultuous few months, with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters predicting there’s a 65% chance of an “above average” Atlantic hurricane season.
The Palmetto State is one of the most vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms throughout the season, which runs from June 1 through November, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. More closely, in Beaufort County, notable hurricanes in the past few years have caused downed trees, significant flooding and costly structural damage.
NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season:
▪ 14 to 21 named storms with winds 39 mph or higher.
▪ Six to 10 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher.
▪ Three to six could become major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher.
Whether the predictions hold, Kim Stenson, the state’s top emergency management official, urged residents to be prepared. Not when high winds are rolling in. Not when rain is crashing down. And not when the time has passed to evacuate.
“Hurricanes are not just a coastal event,” Stenson repeated Friday, adding that the state is certain to have a hurricane event his year, though it may not be a direct hit in Beaufort County.
Like the old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Or, in a hurricane’s case, not being stranded, flooded in and without help to come to the rescue.
At its essence, preparing for a hurricane is a “timing thing,” Tanner said — the sooner, the better.
How to prepare for a hurricane
Finding the right zone: Hurricane evacuations are based on zones in coastal counties. Find yours with the SC Emergency Manager mobile app and Hurricane.sc.
Prep the home: Perform a safety check to ensure your home is able to withstand hurricane’s effects. This includes a roof inspection, double-checking hurricane shutters and ensuring insurance policies cover the types of damages from hurricanes.
Create an emergency plan: South Carolinians should create a family emergency plan in the event of a hurricane. It should include an evacuation destination and agreed-on meeting spots. Residents should keep phones charged when possible and ensure they have a way to find out the latest information. Include any pets in the family emergency plan. For safety and planning recommendations, go to SCEMD’s Hurricane Guide.
Remember an evacuation route: Find the closest hurricane evacuation route as soon as possible in the season to allow for a more efficient and safer route out of the hurricane’s path. Once you’ve learned your route, stick with it and remember it.
COVID-19 considerations: Residents are encouraged to get initial vaccinations and booster shots, which are important when evacuating to other states to prevent the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. To track disease activity in the county you’re evacuating to, use the CDC County Check map to see the level of community spread. Residents are encouraged to travel with rapid antigen at-home test kits in case family members start experiencing symptoms.
State, local preparation
Since February, state and local officials have been gearing up for the season, their methods with “great thought and analysis.”
This month, Beaufort County residents should keep their eyes peeled for a full-scale exercise in the county that simulates an evacuation. It’s set to happen June 9, officials said.
The public should pay attention, said Lt .Col. Travis Manley of South Carolina Highway Patrol. Though, he assured, the exercise would not close roads.
South Carolina has 35 tested and clear evacuation routes, officials said. To find the one to take, residents should visit 511sc.org, identify the route color nearest them and follow it to leave.
“Don’t take secret shortcuts,” McMaster urged, adding that while most of information on Facebook is well-intended, it can be wrong.
Prepare now. Listen. And follow the orders of law enforcement and government officials.
As Stenson put it: Be your own emergency manager.
Will the incoming tropical storm hit SC?
Only days into hurricane season, a tropical storm is headed to Florida this weekend. However, South Carolina will be spared — mostly.
The tropical storm will not have a substantial impact on South Carolina, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
“It will track too far to our southeast to bring any wind, rain or storm surge to the state if the forecast holds, and it probably will because this is a high confidence situation with almost all our computer model guidance in agreement on this storm’s behavior,” an SCDNR news release said.
However, starting Sunday, the Lowcountry could see swells toward the coastline that will bring rough seas and surf, which could cause issues for boaters and beach-goers.
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Beaufort Co. is ‘well prepared’ for hurricane season. McMaster urges residents do the same."
