Gov. McMaster, SCEMD encourages South Carolinians to prepare now before hurricane season begins on June 1

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Governor Henry McMaster and South Carolina’s emergency management leaders are encouraging residents to prepare now for hurricane season.

McMaster has declared May as South Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Month, giving people plenty of time to take precautions, like restocking their hurricane supply kits and creating a safety plan for a possible disaster, well before an event occurs.

This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait, Prepare Today,” and officials said acting now will ensure residents and businesses have the appropriate plans and resources needed to stay safe before the season begins on June 1. It will lessen the stress of gathering essential supplies when a threat is near.

Researchers are calling for another above-average hurricane season. In their pre-season forecast, Colorado State University is predicting 17 named storms, including nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes; however, it only takes one storm to make it a bad hurricane season.

“South Carolina is one of the most vulnerable states to hurricanes and tropical storms, with six coastal counties bordering the Atlantic Ocean and more than 180 miles of coastline,” said SCEMD. “The state’s densely populated coastal areas, especially during peak tourist seasons, combined with low elevations, pose a significant safety risk.”

While the coast is the primary place of impact, tropical systems can have a significant impact on inland areas. These storms can generate high winds and tornadoes that could damage homes and buildings across the state.

Hurricane Helene is a prime example of the damage storms can cause well inland. The storm spawned 21 tornadoes, downed trees, and caused widespread power outages, and many areas in the Upstate are still recovering from the storm months later.

HOW TO PREPARE NOW

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division said the first step is for residents to know what zone they live in. If a storm threatens the coast, evacuations will be issued by zone depending on potential impacts.

You will also want to know the closest route to take if an evacuation is ordered. Follow the blue hurricane evacuation signs rather than a GPS for the most accurate and reliable guidance. You can find a map of coastal evacuation zones and routes by clicking here.

The second tip is to prepare your home. Do a safety check of your home to make sure it is prepared to withstand the effects of a hurricane. This should include scheduling a roof inspection, double-checking hurricane shutters, and reviewing your insurance policies to ensure they cover the types of damage hurricanes can cause. Create a list and take photos of your belongings for documentation.

Finally, take the time to refresh your hurricane preparedness kit. Update your supply of batteries, flashlights, bottled water, and other non-perishable supplies.

You can find a downloadable list of supplies by clicking here, along with tips to make sure you are hurricane-ready.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and runs through the end of November.