PLEASE NOTE: IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CALL 911.

I encourage you to directly contact the South Carolina Emergency Management Division's public information hotline at 866.246.0133 or visit http://scemd.org/. The 2016 Constituent Hurricane Guide is here: http://www.scemd.org/planandprepare/preparedness/preparefor/26-guides-and-brochures/142-south-carolina-hurricane-guide.

For State Office closings, please visit: http://www.scemd.org/closings.

As Hurricane Matthew threatens the southeastern United States, Governor Nikki Haley today ordered an evacuation of coastal areas in and around Charleston and Beaufort, South Carolina. Residents and visitors in Charleston and Beaufort Counties should begin evacuating no later than 3:00 PM TODAY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5. Residents and visitors in certain parts of bordering coastal counties – Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper Counties – should begin evacuating no later than 3:00 PM TODAY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5.

To verify whether you are located in an evacuation zone, please visit www.scemd.org and click, “Know your Zone,” to enter your home address. Evacuation details, by region, are listed below and detailed via an interactive map at that South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s website.

Maps of coastal evacuation routes, including interactive and downloadable maps, and information about highways where lane reversals will be used as a part of the evacuation are available at the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) website: http://www.scdot.org/getting/MatthewResources.aspx#content.

Beginning around noon today, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, SCDOT and supporting agencies will begin closing eastbound lanes of I-26, starting in Columbia at I-77 heading towards Charleston. At approximately 3:00 PM, all lanes on I-26 will be moving westbound from I-526 in Charleston toward I-77 in Columbia. Travel will only be possible in one direction while the evacuation is in progress. Complete lane reversal information is available here: http://www.dot.state.sc.us/getting/evacuation.aspx.

The scope of the evacuation may be expanded to include other areas tomorrow, including parts of Horry and Georgetown Counties. South Carolina residents, especially those who live in low-lying areas along the entire coast, should monitor the status of Hurricane Matthew through local news media.

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.

Individuals and families should plan to board pets with veterinarians, kennels, or other facilities in non-vulnerable areas. Pets are not allowed in American Red Cross shelters.

People who live in the following coastal areas should evacuate immediately:

Central South Carolina Coast

Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley County Evacuation Zones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and I

Zone A: West of the Ashley River - Unincorporated areas of Charleston County from the Ashley River to the Colleton County line; Atlantic Ocean to the Dorchester County Line. This includes the Town of Hollywood, Town of Meggett, Town of Ravenel, Town of Folly Beach, Town of Rockville, Town of Kiawah Island, the Town of Seabrook Island, James Island, Johns Island, Wadmalaw, and unincorporated Charleston County.

Zone B: Central Charleston - From the tip of the Peninsula to Ladson Road; from the Ashley River to the Wando River. This includes City of Charleston, City of North Charleston, the Town of Lincolnville, Daniel Island, Thomas Island, and unincorporated Charleston County.

Zone C: East of the Wando River - Unincorporated areas of Charleston County from the Atlantic Ocean to the Berkeley County line; Wando River to the Georgetown County line. This includes the Town of Mt. Pleasant, Town of Isle of Palms, Town of Sullivan's Island, Town of Awendaw, the Town of McClellanville, Dewees Island, Capers Island, and Goat Island.

Zone D: Sand Hills Area - West of Dorchester Road and the Ashley River, 17A to the Colleton County line and all areas bordering Charleston County.

Zone E: Miles Jamison/Oakbrook Area - Miles Jamison Road, between Ladson Road, to Bacons Bridge Road: including the Lakes of Summerville, Newington Plantation, Crestwood Subdivision south to Orangeburg Road, and South Main Mobile Home Park.

Zone F: The Swamp - Any other low-lying areas including the Cypress Swamp area, the Edisto River area and the Twin Lakes Subdivision.

Zone G:

a. Hanahan

  1. North of Woods Ave from end of road at east edge of rail yard to its intersection with Remount Rd.
  2. North of Remount Rd from its intersection with Woods Ave to its intersection with the railroad tracks just west of Dutton Ave.
  3. East of the railroad tracks from their intersection with Remount Rd to crossing over the Goose Creek (just south of Middle Earth Nursery and Infinger Furniture).

b. Goose Creek/Ladson/Summerville

  1. Including all homes and businesses northeast of the intersection of Hwy 52 and Camelot Dr, continuing along Ryan Dr and Holly Ave across to Westview Blvd (includes buildings on both sides of Camelot Dr, Ryan Dr and Holly Ave).
  2. Crowfield Plantation from Westview Blvd near Holly Ave across I-26 along Ancrum Rd to its intersection with Hwy 78.
  3. Northeast of Hwy 78 from its intersection with Ancrum Rd (Ladson Rd) to its intersection with Hwy 17A (Main St) in Summerville.
  4. Southeast of Hwy 17A (Main St/S Live Oak Dr) from its intersection with Hwy 78 to its intersection with Cypress Gardens Rd.

c. Whitesville/Pimlico/Cordesville

  1. South of Cypress Gardens Rd from its intersection with Hwy 17A (S Live Oak Dr) to its intersection with Pimlico Blvd.
  2. South of Pimlico Blvd from its intersection with Cypress Gardens Rd through to its end.
  3. The area east of Wappaoolah Plantation and west of the Cooper River, north of Pimlico Blvd and south of Mepkin Abbey.
  4. Southeast of the railroad tracks from the Cooper River by Pimlico to its intersection with Hwy 402.

d. Huger/Cainhoy/Wando

  1. South of Hwy 402 from its intersection with the railroad tracks near Cordesville to its intersection with Hwy 41 (Hwy 402 becomes Steed Creek Rd).
  2. Southwest of Steed Creek Rd from its intersection with Hwy 41 to its intersection with Halfway Creek Rd. West of Halfway Creek Rd from its intersection with Steed Creek Rd to its intersection with Guerins Bridge Rd.
  3. West of Guerins Bridge Rd from its intersection with Halfway Creek Rd to its intersection with Wando River (just after Drew Ln).
  4. Northwest of the Wando River from its intersection with Guerins Bridge Rd to its intersection with Nowell Creek with the addition of Patterson’s Academy.
  5. North/northeast of Nowell Creek from its intersection with the Wando River to its intersection with Rebellion Farms Pl.
  6. Northeast of Rebellion Farms Pl from its intersection with Nowell Creek to its intersection of Clements Ferry Rd.
  7. Northeast of Yellow House Pl from its intersection with Clements Ferry Rd to the Cooper River (across from the Goose Creek).

Zone I

a. Shulerville, Honey Hill, Jamestown, Alvin, St Stephen

  1. East of Halfway Creek Rd from its intersection with Forest Rd 200 (on the Berkeley/ Charleston county line) to its intersection with Slash Rd.
  2. East of Slash Rd from its intersection with Halfway Creek Rd to its intersection with Yellow Jacket Rd.
  3. North of Yellow Jacket Rd from its intersection with Slash Rd to its intersection with Horse Island Rd.
  4. East of Horse Island Rd from its intersection with Yellow Jacket Rd to its intersection with Tiger Corner Rd.
  5. Northeast of Tiger Corner Rd from its intersection with Horse Island Rd to its intersection with Hwy 17A.
  6. North of Hwy 17A from its intersection with Tiger Corner Rd to its intersection with Greenwood Dr.
  7. East of Greenwood Dr (becomes Peaceful Woods Rd) from its intersection with Hwy 17A to its intersection with Schurlknight Rd.
  8. Southeast of Schurlknight Rd from its intersection with Peaceful Woods Rd to its intersection with Hwy 45.
  9. Northeast of Hwy 45 from its intersection with Schurlknight Rd to its intersection with Belle Isle Rd.
  10. East of Belle Isle Rd from its intersection with Hwy 45 to the Santee River.
  11. Southwest of the Santee River from Belle Isle Rd to its intersection with the Berkeley/ Charleston county line.
  12. Northwest of the Berkeley-Charleston county line from its intersection with the Santee River to its intersection with Halfway Creek Rd.

Southern Coast Evacuation Zones

Colleton County Evacuation Zone A

All areas south of the CSX Railroad, and all mobile homes and other floodplain areas in the County.

Beaufort County Evacuation Zone A

All residents and tourists in Beaufort County are to evacuate.

Jasper County Evacuation Zone A

Zone A - All areas east of I-95 and all mobile homes and other floodplain areas in the county.

Evacuees should fuel cars, keep supplies in vehicles, and secure important documents. Road maps, nonperishable snack foods, a first-aid kit that includes a supply of your family’s prescription medications, and convenience items such as diapers should be available in the car. Secure important documents in waterproof packaging.

Consider the safety of pets: Pets are not allowed in American Red Cross shelters. Individuals and families should plan to board pets with veterinarians, kennels, or other facilities in non-vulnerable areas. Identification and rabies tags should be attached to the pets’ collars.

If the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane watch, a hurricane will be possible within 48 hours, and residents who live in vulnerable areas should stay tuned. If a hurricane warning is issued, a hurricane is expected within 36 hours. If you live in a highly vulnerable area and are advised to evacuate, you should be prepared to leave immediately. The state urges individuals and families to do the following:

Everyone in South Carolina is urged to continue to monitor the developing forecasts from the National Hurricane Center through local news media and trusted sources online. Pay attention to emergency warnings from local and state public safety officials and take safety actions if instructed to do so.

South Carolina’s Emergency Response Team is operating 24-hours a day from the State’s Emergency Operations Center preparing for hazardous conditions associated with Hurricane Matthew.

For information concerning road conditions and closures, please visit the South Carolina Department of Transportation website here: http://www.dot.state.sc.us/getting/MatthewResources.aspx#content or call 511.

If you suspect price gouging, tweet pictures and documentation to @SCPriceGouging, 803.737.3953 or email pricegouging@scag.gov. For more information, visit: http://www.scag.gov/archives/29113.

For more information follow @SCEMD on Twitter and Facebook.

If you have further questions, please email me directly at ombudsman@emd.sc.gov.

Sincerely,

Hal Peters

Office of the Governor