Charleston County Emergency Operations Center
News Update
Date: September 5, 2008
Time: 5:45 PM
Release Number: 2923
CHARLESTON COUNTY MEDIA CONTACT
Name: Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer
Phone: 843.958.4012
Email: jdavis@charlestoncounty.org
Tropical Storm Hanna Update, 101 Residents in Shelters
Charleston County remains at Operating Condition (OPCON) 1. The OPCON 1 level means a disaster or emergency situation is in effect, full-fledged emergency response operations are on-going, and Charleston County is in the highest state of emergency operations.
Charleston County is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch. Tropical Storm Hanna is expected to make landfall near the North Carolina coast around 1 a.m. The storm is moving northward at 20 mph with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph. The outer bands with heavy rain and tropical storm force winds could hit Charleston County between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., especially in the northern end of the County. Up to two inches of rain have been reported in some areas of Charleston County.
As of 5:45 p.m. today, Charleston County shelters are housing 101 residents:
Stall High School: 41 residents
Morningside Middle School: 32 residents
Midland Park Elementary School: 22 residents
Alice Birney Middle School (Special Medical Needs Shelter): 6 residents
Shelters Open in Charleston County:
Stall High School
7749 Pinehurst Street
N. Charleston, SC 29420
Midland Park Elementary School
2415 Midland Park Road
N. Charleston, SC 29418
Morningside Middle School
1999 Singley Lane
N. Charleston, SC 29405
Special Medical Needs Only
Alice Birney Middle School
7750 Pinehurst Street
N. Charleston, SC 29420
Pet Shelter
North Charleston Coliseum
5000 Coliseum Dr
N Charleston, SC 29418
REQUIREMENTS: Pets are only allowed in the designated animal emergency shelter at the North Charleston Coliseum. Only one person per pet is allowed to stay, and one person must stay with a pet because animals cannot be dropped off. You must bring all supplies needed for your pet: crate, collar, leash, food, identification, veterinarian/immunization records, etc.
Residents needing transportation to a shelter may call the Citizens Information Line at (843) 202-7100 or the Spanish Information Hotline, (843) 202-7191.
Emergency Information for the Public:
The Charleston County Citizen Emergency Information Line, (843) 202-7100, and the Spanish Information Hotline, (843) 202-7191, have been activated so citizens can call in and get answers to any questions relating to Tropical Storm Hanna. The emergency information lines opened at 8 a.m. today and will remain open 24 hours a day until further notice.
The following organizations can help anyone with special medical needs make a plan and register for emergency assistance:
Special Medical Needs:
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) staff are now part of the Charleston County Citizen Emergency Information Line and can be reached at (843) 202-7100
Charleston County residents can register for Alert Charleston County, a free program that allows the public to receive phone and text message notifications about emergency situations, such as a chemical spill, an escaped convict, a missing person or a hurricane evacuation order. When notified, citizens will hear a message that gives details on the emergency and includes instructions on any actions they should take. Alert Charleston County. Register online at: http://alert.charlestoncounty.org
2008 Charleston County Hurricane Guide:
To download the 2008 Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness Guide, and to keep up to date with County news releases concerning Tropical Storm Hanna, visit www.charlestoncounty.org. Click on the “Are You Ready?” banner on the front page of the Web site to download, print and share:
The 2008 Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness Guide
The 2008 Disabilities Emergency Guide
The Operating Condition (OPCON) levels of readiness run from five to one in level of severity, with one being the most severe. This is opposite of how hurricane severity levels run, from one to five, with five being the most severe.
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The following is an explanation of each OPCON level, and Charleston County remains at OPCON 1 (Friday, Sept. 5):
5: Day-to-day operations to include normal training and exercises.
4: Possibility of an emergency or disaster situation that may require a limited or full activation of the County's Emergency Operations Center.
3: Disaster or emergency situation likely or imminent. Full or partial activation of the County's Emergency Operations Center; activate County Emergency Operations Plan.
2: Disaster or emergency situation in effect; maximum preparedness level; full activation of the County's Emergency Operations Center.
1: Disaster or emergency situation in effect; full-fledged emergency response operations on-going; highest state of emergency operations.
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Visit www.charlestoncounty.org for updated information, news and instructions related to Tropical Storm Hanna.