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TOJI MOVES TO OPCON 3 IN PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE MATTHEW - EARLY EVACUATION

NEWS RELEASE – TOJI MOVES TO OPCON 3 IN PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE MATTHEW – EARLY VOLUNTARY EVACUATION

RELEASE #3

The Town of James Island is moving to OPCON 3 today at 5 pm in preparation for Hurricane Matthew. Hurricane Matthew is expected to impact the South Carolina coastline as a category 2 or 3 hurricane. The Governor will be issuing a MANDATORY evacuation at 3 pm tomorrow, Wednesday, October 5th. Medical evacuations are already underway. The Town urges you to evacuate early. Once the mandatory evacuation order has been given, you will have to follow the evacuation route. If you leave early, you can evacuate on the route of your choice. "I urge residents to make plans today on evacuating and not waiting until this mandatory order is issued", says Mayor Woolsey. For James Island, the following Evacuation Route will be in place:

James Island and Folly Beach – take SC 171 (Folly Road) to US 17.

Take US 17 South to I-526 east to the reversed lanes of I-26

Residents need to prepare their homes and families now. The Town has made sand and bags available for all James Island residents to fill at Pinckney Park, located at 461 Fort Johnson Road. The City of Charleston has also made sand and bags available at the Town's Dock Street Park located at 1433 Patterson Avenue. Please bring your own shovels and limit to 15 per household.

Town offices will be closed to regular business tomorrow, Wednesday October 5th. Charleston County schools will be closed starting Wednesday, October 5th.

The Town will continue to monitor Hurricane Matthew and send out regular updates as information becomes available.

Other important information:

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

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 these documents.

In case of an event, 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 - 1-800-815-0083

Non-emergency Public Safety concerns: Consolidated Dispatch - 743-7200

Here are other important links with helpful information before, during and after an event:

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/