Show All Answers

1. What are the procedures following a hurricane and/or disaster?

First, a damage assessment team assesses the damage of the affected and evacuated area. This team consists mainly of public safety personnel.

Minor Damage

If only minor damage exists specifically to utilities such as power, water and sewer, and roadways, county officials make the decision for the time for re-entry.

Major Damage

If major damage occurred to buildings, utilities or roadways, the county provides property owners a time to visit and survey the damage of their property. To gain access to their property, owners must have a copy of the property title, or a tax receipt, or utility bill bearing the address of the property, and picture identification. A driver’s license showing a physical address is acceptable. Once utility companies restore damages and it is safe for entry, County Officials notify property owners that they may return to their property.

2. What are the requirements concerning hurricane evacuation?

When the Governor orders an evacuation, it is required that everyone in the designated area leave. The evacuation order carries the force of state law. In addition, once you leave the area, the order prohibits you from returning until the Governor suspends the order.

3. Where should I go during an evacuation?

Each individual and family in the evacuation zone should decide the best place to move to in the event of an evacuation. This may include staying with family or friends, or traveling to a motel outside the evacuation zone. Several local American Red Cross shelters also provide emergency shelter.

4. Can you tell me what roads are open/closed?

While we will do our best to post road closings on our Facebook and Twitter pages, the best resource to follow is 511sc.org. On your smartphone, you can download the 511 South Carolina Traffic app on the App Store or Google Play.

5. Are the bridges open?

Typically, the only conditions that will force the bridges to close is if they suffer structural damage or if there is an accident on the bridge that necessitates its closure. Bridges on state roads, such as the "Georgetown Bridges" linking Georgetown to the Waccamaw Neck, are controlled by South Carolina Department of Transportation.

6. How do I make a personal preparedness plan for my family?

To help ensure your family is ready for any disaster, you should complete our personal preparedness plan (PDF), and make sure you keep it in a safe place with other important documents that you would want to take during an evacuation or other emergency situation. This plan contains vital information about your family.