State Lowers Emergency Status, Recovery Operations Expand

South Carolina’s state Emergency Response Team is lowering its emergency status from Operating Condition Three to OPCON Four. The State Emergency Operations Center will continue operations as the SERT enters the 16th day of support to local governments and residents with Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts.  

As of 5:00 p.m. today:

• The National Weather Service is currently monitoring major flooding along the Waccamaw, Little Pee Dee and Lumber rivers. Forecasters expect the Waccamaw River to remain at major flood stage for at least the next 10 to 14 days. They predict the Lumber River will remain in major flood stage though Monday, with the Little Pee Dee River remaining in major flood through Thursday.
• State agencies continue to support local relief missions in Dillon, Horry, Marion and Williamsburg counties where residents are either evacuated due to flooding or are in need of immediate relief supplies.
• Officers with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources continue water patrols in and around Colleton, Horry, Georgetown, Jasper and Marion counties.
• The S.C. Dept. of Education reports schools in several Pee Dee districts remain closed or are operating delayed schedules on Monday. Monitor local media for updates on school openings.
• The S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control reports a total of 25 dams breached, 20 of which are state regulated, 5 are unregulated.
• The S.C. Dept. of Transportation reports as many as 117 state maintained roads and 21 bridges remain closed.
• 440 S.C. National Guardsmen remain on state active duty.
• Electric utilities report 8,469 storm-related power outages statewide.
• 5 emergency shelters are open, serving 163 occupants.
• The SCEMD Logistics Section has received 781 requests for resources from local public safety agencies, including requests for water rescue and incident management teams, power generators, bottled water and sandbags.
• County emergency managers, SCEMD and FEMA continue damage assessments in 25 counties affected by Hurricane Matthew to determine eligibility for federal relief programs.
• Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams from FEMA have deployed to Marion and Orangeburg counties to assist residents with applying for help through the Individual Assistance Program.

Hurricane Matthew survivors in Marion and Orangeburg counties should register for federal disaster aid from FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 or online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Anyone with unmet needs such as food, clothing and shelter should call 2-1-1 to be connected with local relief supplies. Residents with damage from Hurricane Matthew can call 1-800-451-1954 to request volunteers from Helping Hands to assist debris and mold cleanup.

Stay updated on the latest information about the Hurricane Matthew recovery effort by visiting www.scemd.org or following @SCEMD on Facebook and Twitter.