SC Governor Henry McMaster has ordered a mandatory evacuation tomorrow morning 10am for the barrier islands of Beaufort County including Harbor, Fripp and Hunting Island, Daufuskie and Hilton Head Islands. The tolls on the cross island parkway have been lifted. This is due to concern of flooding. Storm surge of 4-6 feet over high tides could be expected.
Gov. Henry McMaster has ordered the evacuation of all residents on the following barrier islands beginning no later than 10 a.m. TOMORROW, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9:
Edisto Beach in Colleton County
Daufuskie, Fripp, Harbor, Hunting and Hilton Head Islands in Beaufort County
Knowles and Tullifiny in Jasper County.
Evacuees should pack the following essential items in case the evacuation period is lengthy: required medications, adequate clothing and essential personal items. Emergency shelter locations will be announced as soon as they are open. If you plan to evacuate to a shelter, please be prepared to bring your own blankets, pillows, cots and any special foods if you are on a restricted diet.
Citizens in Colleton, Beaufort and Jasper Counties outside of the barrier islands are encouraged to seek shelter if they have concerns for their personal safety and to be prepared to take safety precautions if they are asked to do so by local public safety officials.
A list of available shelters, staffed by the Department of Social Services and the Red Cross, will be updated on EMD’s website as they open. Shelters scheduled to be operating beginning tomorrow include the Colleton Middle School in Colleton County, Ridgeland High Junior and Elementary School in Jasper County. Bluffton High School and Battery Creek High School in Beaufort County.
South Carolina’s emergency helpline is now active around the clock. Anyone with questions Hurricane Irma should call the Public Information Phone System at 1-866-246-0133.
Bluffton and Battery Creek High Schools will open Sunday as shelters. Sheriff Tanner asks folks on ther barrier islands to come to a hotel in Beaufort or Bluffton to get out of harm's way.
Lane reversal on US 21 Beaufort and US278 Hilton Head will only take place if necessary.
The Governor also said there would be no other evacuations issued for the state.
Here are some links:
http://www.islandpacket.com/news/weather/hurricane/article171961207.html
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/gov-henry-mcmaster-orders-evacuation-of-coastal-barrier-islands-in/article_238e0268-9498-11e7-942d-7bb7a9f6ca0b.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share
You can see the governor's announcement here:
http://www.wistv.com/story/36321412/watch-live-gov-mcmaster-to-announce-final-decision-on-state-evacuations
http://ftpcontent4.worldnow.com/raycom/mobile/liveplayer/universal/?p=wistv&mva=1