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If you live or do business in South Carolina, you’re likely aware that hurricane season falls between June and November. While not every hurricane that forms in the Atlantic will hit the East Coast, some of these destructive, swirling storms will make landfall, bringing high winds and heavy rain with them.
Hurricanes can be deadly if you lack knowledge and preparation. If you live anywhere in SC, preparing for hurricanes is essential to prevent property damage or loss of life. Below are South Carolina hurricane guides to help you with severe storm preparedness, whether you’re a resident or business owner.
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Hurricanes can cause extensive property damage. While it’s impossible to stop a storm or change its trajectory, there are ways to secure your property during the SC hurricane season. Below are the hurricane preparation checklist steps to help you keep your family and business safe.
The first step in your South Carolina hurricane plan is to get ready for a hurricane, whether one rolls through your area or not. You should create an emergency plan to secure your property. Don’t forget to designate a meeting place if you get separated from your family.
You should educate yourself and others around you about the safest places to be during a hurricane. Some parts of your home or business will be more dangerous than others, such as spots near windows or unsecured items. If you have a basement, this is one of the safest places you can be during a hurricane. However, many South Carolina homes don’t have basements, so a bathroom in the center of your property, away from windows, is another safe location to choose.
The next step is to gather hurricane readiness supplies, including:
You should also include any items you may need to stay as comfortable as possible during an extended power outage.
Usually, you’ll have a few days’ notice to batten down the hatches. Preparing for a severe storm will include:
You should find a way to let loved ones know you’re safe during a storm. Many people choose social media to alert their family, since it’s readily available and easily accessible. However, a widespread power outage may make it challenging or impossible to use social media. Instead, you can try calling over a landline or plan to use a long-distance radio. You can also agree ahead of time to meet loved ones at a specific place after the storm passes.
During hurricane season, you should use a weather radio or smartphone apps to receive alerts when a storm is approaching. These informational systems will notify you of areas you should avoid due to flooding or hazardous conditions. You’ll find updates about the storm, including when it should pass and what resources are available in your area, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief.
The safest thing to do during a hurricane is to shelter in place. Tragically, many people drown trying to drive through washed-out bridges or flooded roads. You should avoid this, even with a four-wheel drive truck or vehicle. Instead, stay in place and have resources on hand to call for help if needed.
Once the storm has passed, you’ll want to inspect your home or business and take photos of any damage. These pictures will be helpful if you need to file a homeowners insurance claim. You’ll also want to avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you’ve heard confirmation that it’s uncontaminated and safe to drink. Sometimes, hurricanes and flooding can cause sewage pipes to burst, contaminating your water supply.
After a hurricane, you and your neighbors may not have power until electrical companies can work safely in the area. Severe storms can cause some homeowners and businesses to lose power for days to weeks. You should engage with those in your area to support each other until power comes back online, including sharing generators or resources like food, clothes and water.
Hurricanes fall into five categories on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, indicating the storm’s severity. Hurricanes that reach Category 3 and above have high winds and heavy rainfall that can result in property damage and the loss of life. Understanding the different hurricane categories can help you better prepare for future storms so you can protect your property and family.
Category 1 hurricanes are the mildest, but they can still cause damage. These hurricanes can reach wind speeds between 74 to 95 miles per hour, possibly destroying gutters, siding and roofs. These winds can also knock over weaker trees, which can fall onto buildings. Some areas may experience several days of power outages after a Category 1 hurricane.
Category 2 hurricanes have a moderate risk of damage, and wind speeds can range between 96 to 110 miles per hour. These high winds can result in severe property damage, and some trees may become uprooted or broken, causing them to fall onto homes and businesses. Power outages are also more likely, affecting property owners for several days or weeks.
Category 3 hurricanes have wind speeds between 111 to 129 miles per hour, which can devastate homes and businesses. Some properties may experience damage to exterior walls and loss of roof structure, increasing the potential for interior flooding. Category 3 hurricanes can also cause loss of power and clean drinking water, lasting from a few days to a few weeks.
Category 4 hurricanes are extreme, with winds reaching speeds between 130 to 156 miles per hour. Most buildings in the storm’s path will become uninhabitable and damaged beyond repair. Power will also go out, lasting for weeks to months until utility companies restore infrastructure.
Category 5 hurricanes are the most catastrophic, destroying most framed homes with winds reaching 157 miles per hour or more. Power outages will last weeks to months, and large parts of the area will become uninhabitable for long periods. Category 5 hurricanes have the highest loss of life, typically when people don’t evacuate in time for the storm.
Hurricane-prone states like South Carolina have evacuation routes residents can take when a dangerous storm is in the weather forecast. You should know your area to determine if your property is vulnerable to storm surges. Coastal residents will need to be more aware of different South Carolina evacuation plans than those inland, but everyone should familiarize themselves with evacuation routes, since large hurricanes can hit the entire state.
Northern evacuation routes encompass Horry County and Georgetown, which includes northern Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach. The goal of evacuation is to get residents farther inland, so those who are evacuating will generally take the fastest route to escape a hurricane’s destructive path.
Usually, people who live in northern SC evacuate via I-95, US 378 or US 501. Your exact route will depend on where you live and where your home or business falls within the evacuation region. You can find resources online about specific evacuation routes to help you stay safe during a hurricane.
The central routes cover most of South Carolina and help people evacuate from multiple locations and populated cities. The central hurricane region includes Charleston, Dorchester and Berkley.
Each location has individual evacuation routes based on where you live . Many central evacuation routes take you to I-20, but other routes will have you evacuate to I-26 and US 378. You can look at your evacuation route beforehand as part of your hurricane preparation, ensuring you know where to go if you need to leave suddenly. Law enforcement and official traffic control will provide additional information and instructions about evacuation routes, including changes or road closures.
The southern SC evacuation routes include Colleton, Beaufort and Jasper counties. Southern SC residents will usually need to be the first to evacuate, since most hurricanes come from the south in the Atlantic and up the East Coast.
Southern evacuation routes will generally try to get residents to head north on I-95 or reach northern Augusta. Lanes will have assignments based on the evacuation route. Law enforcement officials and traffic control will keep residents aware of changing traffic conditions and routes, so it’s best to follow these updates online or on the radio.
To learn how to better prepare for a potential power outage, check out the 3 Simple Steps to take when Planning for a Temporary Emergency.
See how the Cat® Rental Power network came together in 2016 to provide a strong, coordinated response to those affected by Hurricane Matthew.
Preparing for a hurricane can help keep you and your family safe. Power outages during a storm can pose different risks, including spoiling food supplies or increasing the risk of heatstroke in the summer. Power outages can also devastate businesses, resulting in lost data and downtime. Even a Category 1 hurricane can leave you without electricity for hours or days.
Blanchard Machinery Company can keep the power going during a hurricane with our emergency generators and backup power sources. Whether you want to protect your business or loved ones, our emergency power solutions have you covered.
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If you live near the coast or worry about hurricanes making landfall and causing damage to your home or business, the SC Emergency Manager app can help. This app’s features keep you connected before, during and after a hurricane, including:
When you sign up for the app, you’ll also receive a strobe light and whistle to help you alert first responders during and after the storm. The app will make it easier to keep track of your disaster supplies kit, which is a must-have during hurricane season. The SC Emergency Manager app can significantly impact your hurricane preparedness and recovery.
Access to electricity is essential during a hurricane, especially for businesses with critical operations that cannot afford prolonged power outages. Blanchard Machinery Company offers storm preparedness for Cat® dealers through power system services and repairs.
Our reliable equipment ensures you’re ready in the event of a hurricane, whether you have generators, ATS, UPS or switchgear. We can help you prepare your emergency power solutions and keep them in the best condition possible so they can provide you with the power you need during an emergency. Contact us today to learn more about our power solutions and services.