South Carolina Prepares for Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian is now expected to cross Florida and bring tropical storm conditions to much of South Carolina, according to forecasters with the National Hurricane Center. People in South Carolina should expect high winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, flooding due to storm surge and isolated tornadoes beginning Thursday night and lasting into the weekend. Everyone in the state should be personally prepared for the effects of a Ian, such as property damage, power outages and flooding in places known to do so.

South Carolina residents should continue to check their local weather outlets for updated storm forecasts and double check their personal emergency plans, including:

• Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do in an emergency.
• Know where to go if conditions become too unsafe to remain in your home.
• Storm surge flooding can be compounded by heavy rainfall. If you’re in a low-lying area or area normally prone to flooding, make sure your emergency plan includes flood precautions.
• Create your emergency plan by visiting scemd.org or downloading the SC Emergency Manager mobile app: http://onelink.to/dn92rx.
• Have an emergency kit with items such as: bottled water, non-perishable food and flashlights with extra batteries, and chargers for your mobile devices. Refer to the preparedness checklists at Hurricane.SC. 
• Include items for your pets in your emergency kit.
• Prepare your home or business by securing any items you have outdoors and taking them indoors.
• The probability of power outages is increased due to tropical storm force winds. Make sure you have some cash in case of power outages.
• Frequently monitor weather conditions and be aware that tornadoes are likely to spawn during a hurricane or tropical storm.
• If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately in a house or small building. If there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lowest level. Get under a sturdy table and cover your head. Stay there until the danger has passed.
• If in a vehicle, trailer or mobile home, get out immediately and go to a more secure structure. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch and cover your head. Do not attempt to outdrive a tornado.
• Keep all of your important documents in a watertight bag.
• Check with your pharmacy to make sure all of your important medications are filled.
• Ensure that you have extra doses of vital medication in case you have to leave your home.