(Columbia)—The following is a statement given by Governor David M. Beasley this evening regarding Hurricane Bonnie.
“As you have probably heard by now, I declared
a state of emergency in South Carolina this afternoon, calling for the
mandatory evacuation of Horry and Georgetown counties, east of Highway
17 and the Highway 17 Bypass.
Thankfully, many are now heeding that instruction
and are leaving the area.
Hurricane Bonnie is a very intense storm,
and she’s taken an unpredictable path. But it looks like South Carolina
could still be right in her line of fire.
We certainly hope and pray that’s not the
case for either of the Carolinas, but we cannot afford to take chances
with a storm this massive.
Right now, Bonnie is a Class Three storm.
That means 115 mile an hour winds could be slamming into Myrtle Beach by
morning. And in neighboring areas, the winds could reach tropical
storm level. Bonnie means business.
National Guard troops and law enforcement
officers are stationed along the coast to help move folks out as quickly
and safely as possible. They’re also going to make sure your property
is well protected while you’re away.
So I am asking you tonight—if you are in the
evacuation area of Horry and Georgetown Counties and have not yet left
the area—please heed these warnings and get to shelter immediately.
Our first priority is your safety. Property
can be replaced. Human life cannot.
So please stay tuned for updates, heed the
warnings, and we will do everything humanly possible to keep you safe.”