Always be Prepared

Prepare

Florence County is susceptible to hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, winter storms, and more. We want to encourage everyone - families, businesses, agencies, and institutions - to be prepared for these disasters. FCEMD urges you to take the time to prepare. When a disaster is imminent, it's not the time to think, 'What should I do?' Being prepared means you are ready to protect your family and property when a disaster occurs. It means you have previously thought out what to do, where to go, what to bring, and how to get there.

Each disaster is different, but having a general plan and a disaster preparedness kit can reduce the fear, inconvenience, and losses surrounding a disaster. While Florence County, local government, and emergency service agencies will help you if a disaster strikes, you must also be prepared. These agencies may be overwhelmed after a major disaster and unable to reach you immediately. What you do now can make a big difference. A general rule of thumb is to plan and prepare now to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours following a major disaster.

Some emergencies can force you to evacuate from your neighborhood or confine you to your home. You must know what to do if the utility company cuts off essential services—water, gas, electricity, or telephones. Preparing in advance and working together as a team make it much easier to cope with an emergency.

It is essential to keep enough supplies in your home to meet your family's needs for at least three days. Assemble a Family Emergency Kit with necessary items in an emergency or evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as suitcases, duffle bags, or covered storage containers.


  • Cash and credit cards.

  • Water, two gallons of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

  • Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

  • Flashlight and extra batteries

  • First aid kit

  • Whistle to signal for help

  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation

  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

  • Manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

  • Local maps

  • Cell phone with chargers

  • Prescription medications and glasses

  • Infant formula and diapers

  • Pet food and extra water for your pet

  • Important family documents; insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

  • Family emergency contact information
  • In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.

  • Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the 'family contact.' After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Ensure everyone in the family knows the contact person's name, address, and phone number.

  • Emergency Plan - Disasters strike without warning, and being prepared at home will help ensure you and your family can make the best of a bad situation. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but in many cases, they cannot reach everyone immediately. You must be ready to care for yourself and your family for up to three days.

Many kinds of emergencies can cause you to evacuate. Sometimes, you may have a day or two to prepare, while other situations require immediate evacuation. Planning is vital to evacuating quickly and safely, no matter the circumstances.

Before an evacuation, you should:


  • Plan how you will leave and where you will go if advised to evacuate.

  • Identify several places you could go in an emergency, such as a friend’s home in another town or a motel. Choose destinations in different directions so that you have options during an emergency.

  • If needed, identify a place to stay that will accept pets. Most public shelters allow only service animals.

  • Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.

  • Always follow the instructions of local officials and remember that your evacuation route may be on foot, depending on the type of disaster.

  • Assemble supplies that are ready for evacuation. Prepare a “go-bag” you can carry when you evacuate on foot or public transportation and supplies for traveling longer distances if you have a car.

If you have a car:


  • Keep a full tank of gas if an evacuation seems likely. Keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case of an unexpected need to evacuate. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies, and gas may not be pumped during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.

  • Make sure you have a portable emergency kit in the car.

  • If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if needed. Discuss your options with family, friends, or the local emergency management office to determine available resources.

During an evacuation, you should:


  • Download the FCEMD app for a list of open shelters during an active disaster in your local area.

  • Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions.

  • Take your emergency supply kit.

  • Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.

  • Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be allowed in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency now.

If time allows:


  • Call or email the out-of-state contact in your family communications plan. Tell them where you are going.

  • Secure your home by closing and locking doors and windows.

  • Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions, and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If your home has damage and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas, and electricity before leaving.

  • Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.

  • Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a hat.

  • Check with neighbors who may need a ride.

  • Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked.

  • Be alert for hazards such as washed-out roads, bridges, and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.

After an evacuation, you should:


  • If you evacuated for the storm, check with local officials at both your place of residence and your home before you travel.

  • If you are returning to disaster-affected areas after significant events, prepare for disruptions to daily activities and remember that returning home before storm debris is cleared is dangerous.

  • Let friends and family know before you leave and when you arrive.

  • Charge devices and consider getting backup batteries in case power outages continue.

  • Fill up your gas tank and consider downloading a fuel app to check for outages along your route.

  • Bring supplies such as water and non-perishable food for the car ride.

  • Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.

  • Only use generators outside and away from your home, and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage or connect it to your home's electrical system.

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

Step 1:

  • Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.

  • How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?

  • What is my shelter plan?

  • What is my evacuation route?

  • What is my family/household communication plan?

  • Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

Step 2:

  • Consider specific needs in your household.

  • As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:

  • Different ages of members within your household

  • Responsibilities for assisting others

  • Locations frequented

  • Dietary needs

  • Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment

  • Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment

  • Languages spoken

  • Cultural and religious considerations

  • Pets or service animals

  • Households with school-aged children

Step 3:

Step 4:

  • Practice your plan with your family/household

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for a basic first aid manual. Each first-aid kit should include the following:


  • 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)

  • 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)

  • Hypoallergenic adhesive tape

  • Triangular bandages (3)

  • 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)

  • 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)

  • Scissors

  • Tweezers

  • Needle

  • Moistened towelettes

  • Antiseptic

  • Thermometer

  • Tongue blades (2)

  • Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

  • Assorted sizes of safety pins

  • Cleansing agent/soap

  • Latex gloves (2 pair)

  • Sunscreen

Types of Disasters

Extreme Heat


Heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed, and the body must work extra hard to maintain an average temperature.

Most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for their age and physical condition. Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat.

Conditions that can induce heat-related illnesses include stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality. Consequently, people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than those living in rural areas. Also, asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, which can produce higher nighttime temperatures known as the 'urban heat island effect.'

A heat wave is an extended period of extreme heat often accompanied by high humidity. These conditions can be dangerous and even life-threatening for humans who don't take the proper precautions.

To prepare for extreme heat, you should:


  • build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

  • Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.

  • Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.

  • Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat outside.

  • Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.

  • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)

  • Keep storm windows up all year.

  • Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes.

  • Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick, or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help.

  • Be aware that people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than those living in rural areas.

  • Get trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies.

During extreme heat, you should:


  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for critical National Weather Service (NWS) updates.

  • Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

  • Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.

  • Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is unavailable.

  • Postpone outdoor games and activities.

  • Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.

  • Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

  • Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid-restricted diets, or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.

  • Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.

  • Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.

  • Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

  • Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.

  • Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and spend much time alone.

  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.

  • Check on your animals frequently to ensure they do not suffer from heat.
Earthquake


Many people are unaware of how common earthquakes are in South Carolina. Approximately 10 to 15 earthquakes are recorded annually in South Carolina, with 3 to 5 of them felt or noticed by people. About 70 percent of South Carolina earthquakes are in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone. Earthquakes in South Carolina have the potential to cause significant and sudden loss because devastation can occur in minutes.

An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock as it releases strain that has accumulated over a long time.

For hundreds of millions of years, the forces of plate tectonics have shaped the Earth as the massive plates that form the Earth’s surface slowly move over, under, and past each other. Sometimes, the movement is gradual. At other times, the plates are locked together, unable to release accumulated energy. When the accumulated energy grows strong enough, the plates break free. An earthquake in a populated area may cause many deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage.

All 50 states and 5 U.S. territories are at some risk for earthquakes, which can happen at any time of the year.

Six Ways to Plan Ahead


  • Check for Hazards in the Home. Fasten shelves securely to walls. Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.

  • Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches. Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.

  • Brace overhead light fixtures. Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.

  • Secure water heaters by strapping them to the wall studs and bolting them to the floor.

  • Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.

  • Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.

Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors


  • Under sturdy furniture, such as heavy desks or tables;

  • Against inside walls;

  • Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, or pictures and where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall;

  • In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone, and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

  • Educate Yourself and Family Members

  • Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drills;

  • Teach children how and when to dial 9-1-1, police or fire departments, and which radio stations broadcast emergency information;

  • Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.

During an Earthquake—Be aware that some earthquakes are foreshocks, and a more significant quake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place. If you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors:


  • DROP to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture, and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

  • Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

  • Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

  • Use a doorway for shelter only if it is close to you; if you know, it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway.

  • Stay inside until the shaking stops, and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location or try to leave.

  • Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

  • DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors:


  • Stay there.

  • Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.

  • Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists outside buildings, at exits, and inside exterior walls.

  • Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle:


  • Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.

  • Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that the earthquake might have damaged.

If trapped under debris:


  • Do not light a match.

  • Do not move about or kick up dust.

  • Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

  • Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

After an Earthquake


  • Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.

  • Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for the latest emergency information.

  • Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

  • Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

  • Stay away from damaged areas unless police, fire, or relief organizations request your assistance. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

  • If you live in coastal areas, be aware of possible tsunamis. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called 'tidal waves'). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is coming. Stay away from the beach.

  • Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance, such as infants, older people, and people with disabilities. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.

  • Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. If you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals, leave the area.

  • Inspect the entire length of the chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.

  • Inspect utilities. Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve and call the gas company from a neighbor's home if possible. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

  • Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Call an electrician for advice on stepping in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker.

  • Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.
Flooding


In South Carolina, several variations of flood hazards occur due to the different effects of severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, seasonal rains, and other weather-related conditions. The State's low-lying topography and humid subtropical climate make it highly vulnerable to inland or riverine flooding. Riverine flooding occurs when the flow of rainwater runoff exceeds the carrying capacities of the natural drainage systems.

Floods develop slowly, while others, such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes without visible signs of rain. Additionally, floods can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water carrying rocks, mud, and other debris. Overland flooding, the most common type of flooding event, typically occurs when waterways such as rivers or streams overflow their banks due to rainwater or a possible levee breach and cause flooding in surrounding areas. It can also occur when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the capacity of underground pipes or the capacity of streets and drains designed to carry flood water away from urban areas.

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live or work, especially in low-lying areas, near water, behind a levee, or downstream from a dam. Even tiny streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds, or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood.

Before flooding occurs, you should:


  • Avoid building in a flood-prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home.

  • Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.

  • Install check valves in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.

  • Contact community officials to find out if they plan to construct barriers (levees, berms, or floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the homes in your area.

  • Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

  • Review your insurance policy. Flood coverage is not part of most homeowners', mobile homes, or renters' insurance policies. There is a 30-day waiting period for coverage to take effect.

During a flood event, you should:


  • Be aware of potential flash flooding. If a flash flood is possible, move to higher ground. Do not wait to be told to move.

  • If time allows, prepare your home for a flood by moving essential items to an upper floor, bringing in outdoor furniture, disconnecting electrical appliances, and being prepared to turn off the gas, electricity, and water.

  • Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground before you.

  • Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle could be quickly swept away.

After flooding occurs, you should:


  • listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.

  • • Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.

  • Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Even if the roadway of a bridge or elevated highway looks normal, the support structures below may be damaged.

  • Stay clear of downed power lines and report them to your power company.

  • Use extreme caution when entering buildings; damage may be hidden, particularly to foundations. Stay out of any building that is surrounded by floodwaters.

  • Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and other harmful chemicals.
Hazardous Materials


Hazardous materials are chemical substances that, if released or misused, can threaten health or the environment. These chemicals are used in industry, agriculture, medicine, research, and consumer goods. As many as 500,000 products pose physical or health hazards and can be defined as 'hazardous chemicals.' Each year, over 1000 new synthetic chemicals are introduced. Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. These substances are often released due to transportation or chemical accidents in manufacturing plants.

The state's industrial capacity and the network of interstate highways and railways result in vulnerabilities to hazardous material releases from stationary sites and transportation sources. Facilities that use or store hazardous materials are located throughout the state in rural and densely populated areas and do not include retail gas stations or telephone relay battery storage sites. Many facilities are located in coastal counties, which hurricanes force winds and rain could impact. Toxic release inventories indicate combinations of fixed sources are clustered along Interstate 85. While the most significant number of facilities are concentrated along that route, numerous other facilities, more evenly spread across the state, emit more substantial amounts. Further, the extensive network of interstate highways and railways that supply industries with chemical and petroleum products could result in a moderate to significant accidental release of hazardous materials from a transportation source.

However, most victims of chemical accidents are injured at home. These incidents usually are the result of carelessness or ignorance in the use of chemical products. The use of these chemical products has become a necessity in our society. We depend on them to protect us from disease and contribute to our high standard of living. It is important to remember that the products we use to clean, disinfect, and maintain our homes, clothing, dishes, furnishings, etc., are designed to be safely used, stored, and disposed of in the house. These accidents occur when they are used or disposed of improperly. As with all the materials in our homes, you should follow manufacturer’s labels on proper and improper ways to use and dispose of all chemical products.

You may be exposed to a chemical in three ways:


  1. Breathing the chemical

  2. Swallowing contaminated food, water, or medication.

  3. Touching the chemical or coming into contact with items that touched the chemical.

Remember, you may be exposed to chemicals even though you may not be able to see or smell anything unusual. Many hazardous materials do not have a taste or an odor. There are different ways to detect the presence of a dangerous material. Some materials can be detected because they cause physical reactions such as watering eyes or nausea. Some hazardous materials exist beneath the ground's surface and can be recognized by an oil or foam-like appearance.

Learn about chemicals and chemical emergencies. Chemicals are everywhere and are an essential part of everyday life. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to be prepared. Knowing what to watch for and how to respond will alert you to potential chemical hazards.

Hurricanes


South Carolina is one of the most vulnerable states in the nation to be impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms. Six coastal counties border the Atlantic Ocean. These counties have more than 200 miles of general coastline, and another 21 inland counties may be directly affected by these storms. Densely populated coastal areas, especially during peak tourist seasons, and the generally low coastal elevations significantly increase the state's vulnerability. Storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property associated with a hurricane and tropical storm. Other effects include high winds, tornadoes, and inland flooding associated with heavy rainfall that usually accompanies these storms.

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern Pacific Ocean. In the Northern Hemisphere, a typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.

All Atlantic coastal areas are subject to hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October.

Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Hurricanes can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour and tornadoes and microbursts. Additionally, hurricanes can create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. Floods and flying debris from the excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events. Slow-moving hurricanes traveling into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mudslides. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall.

You can minimize the loss of life or property during a hurricane. Remember, if a hurricane occurs, emergency responders may be unable to reach you immediately. You should be prepared to be self-sustaining for at least three days.

Before a hurricane, you should:


  • Have a hurricane plan and ensure everyone in the household knows the plan.

  • Know your evacuation route.

  • Have an emergency supplies kit prepared, to include at least three days' drinking water (two quarts per person per day); non-perishable food; flashlight with extra batteries; portable battery-operated radio; first-aid kit; non-electric can opener; essential medicines; cash and credit cards.

  • Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in official shelters.

  • Protect your home by covering windows with permanent shutters, plywood panels, or other shielding materials. Bring lawn furniture and other loose objects, such as garbage cans that may be hazardous during high winds.

  • Install straps or additional clips to fasten your roof to the frame structure securely. This will reduce roof damage.

  • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well-trimmed.

  • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

  • Determine how and where to secure your boat.

  • Fuel up/charge and service family vehicles.

During a hurricane, you should:


  • Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.

  • Close all interior doors-secure and brace external doors.

  • Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.

  • Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway.

  • Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

  • Be alert. Tornadoes are frequently spawned during hurricanes.

After a hurricane, you should:


  • Wait until an area is declared safe before reentering.

  • Do not drive in flooded areas.

  • Avoid using candles or other open flames indoors. Use a flashlight to inspect the damage.

  • Check gas, water, electrical lines, and appliances for damage.

  • Avoid loose or down power lines and report them to your power company.

  • Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until local officials declare it safe.
Thunderstorms


Thunderstorms are dangerous, as they all produce lightning. In the United States, an average of 300 people are injured, and 80 people are killed each year by lightning. These injuries can range from minor burns and temporary hearing loss to more severe conditions such as nerve damage and broken bones. While most lightning victims survive, those struck by lightning often report long-term, debilitating symptoms. Other associated dangers of thunderstorms include tornadoes, strong winds, hail, and flash flooding. Flash flooding is responsible for more fatalities—more than 140 annually—than any other thunderstorm-associated hazard.

Before a thunderstorm, you should:


  • Listen to the latest news from NOAA Weather Radio or commercial radio or television newscasts.

  • Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage. Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.

  • “If thunder roars, go indoors.” No place outside is safe when lightning is in the area.

During a thunderstorm, you should:


  • Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are unavailable, close window blinds, shades, or curtains.

  • If unable to get indoors, seek shelter in a low area and be alert for flash flooding and flying debris.

  • Avoid isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas. Avoid anything metal: tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, and golf carts.

  • If on open water, get to land and find shelter immediately.

  • Your hair standing on end indicates that lightning is about to strike. If this happens, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees. Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact with the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground.

After a thunderstorm, you should:


  • Continue listening to local news or NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. More severe thunderstorms could be headed your way.

  • Let your family and close friends know you're okay so they can help spread the word. Text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.

  • After you are sure the severe weather threat has ended, check your property for damages. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes when walking through storm damage. Contact local authorities if you see power lines down. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has been damaged.
Tornadoes


Since 1950, South Carolina has experienced numerous tornadoes, averaging 11 yearly. It ranks twenty-sixth in the United States in the number of tornado strikes and eighteenth in the number of tornadoes per square mile. The most common type of tornado, the relatively weak and short-lived type, occurs between March and May. However, tornadoes can occur almost anywhere at any time.

Tornadoes, nature’s most violent storms, are not to be underestimated. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, they can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado, with its rotating, funnel-shaped cloud extending from a thunderstorm to the ground and whirling winds reaching 300 miles per hour, is a force to be reckoned with. Damage paths can stretch more than one mile wide and 50 miles long, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Every state, including South Carolina, is at some risk from this hazard. Some visible and others obscured by rain or low-hanging clouds, tornadoes can develop so rapidly that little warning is possible. The wind may die down, and the air may become still before a tornado hits. A debris cloud can mark a tornado's location even if a funnel is not visible. Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm, and it's not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado. This unpredictability underscores the need for constant vigilance and preparedness.

Before tornadoes, you should:


  • Be alert to changing weather conditions.

  • Listen to the latest news from NOAA Weather Radio or commercial radio or television newscasts.

  • Look for approaching storms.

Look for the following danger signs:


  • Dark, often greenish sky

  • Large hail

  • A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)

  • roar, similar to a freight train

  • If you see approaching storms or any danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

During a tornado, you should:


  • Seek shelter immediately.

  • Get indoors to a pre-designated shelter area such as a basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway), away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.

  • Shutter windows and outside doors.

  • If in a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or storm shelter.

  • If unable to get indoors, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of potential flooding and flying debris.

  • Never try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

After a tornado, you should:


  • Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

  • Avoid downed power lines and report them to your utility company.

  • Stay out of damaged buildings.
Winter Weather


Snow, ice storms, and cold temperatures periodically threaten South Carolina. Winter storms can damage property, create safety risks, destroy crops and valuable timber, damage infrastructure components such as power lines, and have enormous economic impacts.

Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes strong winds, icing, sleet, and freezing rain. One of the primary concerns is the ability of winter weather to knock out heat, power, and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region.

The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the “Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. It is essential to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes.



Know the Terms


  • Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to your NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information.

  • Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.

  • Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines.

  • Sleet: Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.

  • Frost/Freeze Warning: Below-freezing temperatures are expected.

Before winter weather, you should:


  • Add winter supplies like rock salt to melt ice and shovels to your disaster supply kit.

  • Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off.

  • Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.

  • Learn how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts.

  • Have your vehicle serviced to ensure it is prepared for the winter season.

  • Place a winter emergency kit in every vehicle that includes a shovel; windshield scraper and small broom; flashlight; battery-powered radio; extra batteries; water; snack food; matches; extra hats, socks, and mittens; first aid kit with a pocket knife; necessary medications; blankets; tow chain or rope; road salt and sand; booster cables; emergency flares; fluorescent distress flag.

During winter weather, you should:


  • Stay indoors. If you must go outside, dress in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Wear a hat that covers your ears. Wear mittens and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.

  • Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.

  • Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.

  • Watch for signs of frostbite, such as the loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of your nose.

  • Drive only if it is necessary. If you must drive, travel during the day, don’t travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule. Decrease your speed and leave plenty of room to stop the vehicle on icy roads.

  • If trapped in your car during a blizzard, pull off the highway and turn on your hazard lights. Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • Exercise to maintain body heat but avoid overexertion. Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.

After winter weather, you should:


  • Listen to your local radio or television station for the latest weather and traffic reports.

  • Go to a designated shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold.

  • Check on your animals and ensure that snow drifts, ice, or other obstacles do not block their access to food and water. If possible, bring them indoors.

  • Be aware of possible carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock, and fire if using alternative sources for electricity, heating, or cooking.
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