NEWS RELEASE #7 Evacuate Now

News Release #7—Evacuate Now

The Town of James Island remains at OPCON 1 on Friday, October 7th. There is a Hurricane Warning for James Island.

A state of emergency remains in effect for the Town of James Island.

The storm surge on James Island is expected to be worse than it was for Hugo.

Residents are urged to follow Governor Haley's order to evacuate James Island. The lane reversal on I-26 is scheduled to end this morning, Friday, October 7th.

The Town of James Island Municipal Operations Center (MEOC) is in Greenwood, South Carolina. Town Hall is closed.

Residents may reach the MEOC by calling the Town phone number 843-795-4141.

For emergencies, call 911.

The James Island PSD Fire Department is on the Island. James Island incident commander, Chief Seabolt, reports that it is quiet on the Island now. Emergency vehicles will not be able to answer calls after winds reach approximately 45 mph until after the storm passes. The JIPSD is preparing to begin clearing roads as soon as the storm passes.

Law enforcement has stepped up patrols and officers remain on the Island.

The bridges to James Island remain open. Law enforcement will close them when high winds make them too dangerous. At this time, there is no specific timeline to prevent access to James Island. Access from James Island to Folly Beach is currently limited to residents and business owners.

The evacuation route from James Island

Take SC 171 (Folly Road) to US 17.

Take US 17 South to I-526 east to I-26

Emergency Transportation to Shelters

The Emergency Transportation Plan has been activated. Buses will go to the Emergency Pickup Points from 8 am to 8 pm and take those who need transportation and shelter to Emergency Shelters here in the Lowcountry

Emergency Transportation Pickup Points on James Island

Fast Point Food Store - 1029 Harbor View Road (Harbor View Road at Quail Drive)

Wal-Mart—1231 Folly Road and Griffith Road

Folly Beach Shopping Center - 907 Folly Road (Camp Road and Folly Road)

Harris Teeter - 1739 Maybank Highway and Folly Road

Hot Wheels - 1523 Folly Road

Camp Center - 1238 Camp Road

Harris Teeter - 1985 Folly Road and Sol Legare Road

Harris Teeter - 675 Folly Road

Murray Elementary School - 691 Riverland Drive

James Island High School - 1000 Ft. Johnson Road

Hideaway Pizza Kitchen - 608AHarborview & Clearview, near Ft. Johnson

Shelters

Charleston County announces the following shelters have opened:

North Charleston High School, 1087 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Stall High School, 3625 Ashley Phosphate Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418

A.C. Corcoran Elementary, 8585 Vistavia Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406

Midland Park Primary, 2415 Midland Park Road, North Charleston, SC 29406

Ladson Elementary, 3321 Ladson Rd, Ladson, SC 29456

Edmund A. Burns Elementary, 3750 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29405 (Pet / Pet Owner Shelter)

Items to bring if you locating to a shelter

Prescription and emergency medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items.

• It's also important not to forget special items for children, such as diapers, formula and toys, and other items for family members who have unique needs

Sandbags

Please do not dig holes in the Town Parks.

Forecast

FORECAST:

Hurricane Matthew poses a significant threat to the region. Matthew is expected to track just off the GA and SC coasts tonight into Saturday. Confidence is increasing that the center of Matthew will follow a track about 30 to 50 miles from the GA and SC coasts. As of 0800, the storm is approximately 420 miles

south/southeast of Charleston and is a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of up to 107 mph. Storm surge is expected to be 4-8 feet with severe inundation. Significant damage to coastal structures is likely. Barrier islands such as Huntington, Edisto, Folly, Sullivan's, and Isle of Palms are in danger of

severe flooding. High wind speeds will likely result in extensive tree damage and power outages. Rainfall combined with high tides will result in serious flooding issues, especially in peninsular Charleston. The worst impacts will occur during the day on Saturday. Sunday should have less wind and rain.

FRIDAY TIDES:

High – 12:47pm 5.5'

Low – 6:16 pm 1.1'

SATURDAY TIDES:

High – 12:57am 4.9'

Low – 7:04 am 1.2'

High – 1:39 pm 5.5'

Low – 8:04 am 1.4'

CURRENT WATCHES, WARNINGS AND/OR ADVISORIES:

Hurricane Warning for ALL coastal counties and for adjacent coastal waters including Charleston Harbor Tropical Storm Warning for all other land zones Flash Flood Watch for all land zones

EXPECTED IMPACTS (INCLUDES TIMING AND LOCATION)

STORM SURGE: Reasonable worst case values of 4-8' inundation are possible and the southeast South Carolina coast should be prepared for this potential should the hurricane remain closer to the coast.

WINDS: Gusts at/above hurricane force possible mainly close to the coast. Tropical storm force winds/gusts will possibly extend much further inland and could persist for 18-24 hours at any given location late Friday and into Saturday with the worst effects Saturday. Extensive tree damage and significant power outages will be possible within any areas that receive hurricane force wind gusts (74 mph+).

HEAVY RAIN: Flash flood watch all areas. Rainfall totals 8 to 14" with potentially higher amounts locally.

MARINE: Probability for hurricane conditions increasing, with seas possibly building to 15-20 feet near shore, and 20- 30 feet beyond 20 nm offshore. Dangerous conditions for all vessels, even larger ships.

TORNADOES: Isolated, brief tornadoes possible near the coast.

POTENTIAL TIMING OF TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS

POTENTIAL ONSET TIME: By midday across SE GA, then spreading across SE SC this afternoon.

POTENTIAL ENDING TIME: Late Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening. Significant improvement Sunday.

Other important information: 2016 Charleston County Hurricane Guide:http://bit.ly/Hurricaneguide2016 Charleston

County Citizen Alert System: Charleston County residents should register for theCharleston County Citizen Alert System, a free program that allows the public to receive voicemail, text message, and email notifications about emergency situations. Register online at https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085611698#login

High Wind and Bridge Policy:

www.charlestoncounty.org/deparments/emergencymanagement/files/bridgepro…

Definition of OPCON levels:

www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/emergencymanagement.opcon.php

The Charleston County Emergency Management Department developed and maintains an Emergency Operations Plan and Re-Entry Plan for the entire County. Please visit their website at

www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/emergency-management for more information and links to those documents.

Here are some important numbers or websites you need to know. Downed Trees: Call 911

Downed Power lines: SCE&G- 1-888-333-4465 Gas Leaks: SCE&G -1-899-815-0083

Non-emergency Public Safety concerns: Consolidated Dispatch – (843) 743-7200.

Here are other important links with helpful information :

South Carolina Emergency Management Division: http://www.scemd.org/

FEMA website for Citizen Preparedness: http://www.ready.gov/ FEMA:https://www.fema.gov/

National Weather Service Charleston Office: http://www.weather.gov/chs/

Pet Friendly Hotels: http://www.pet-friendly-hotels.net/