Georgetown officials issue preparedness statement

The National Weather Service Office in Wilmington is forecasting potential tropical storm conditions for the Georgetown area later today, with the approach of Tropical Storm Hanna.

Flooding is likely in low-lying areas and flood prone areas. Residents are urged to take precautions to protect property and materials subject to flooding.

A voluntary evacuation has been issued by Governor Sanford and is in effect for areas east of Highway 17. If you live in low lying flood prone areas or in a mobile home, you should consider evacuation at this time. You are encouraged to evacuate to a family or friends home further inland. However, if necessary you may evacuate to the Pleasant Hill Elementary school shelter. The school is located at 127 Schoolhouse Drive. From Georgetown use Hwy 701 north towards Conway. Cross Blackriver and turn left onto the Choppee Highway. About 12 miles later turn left onto Pleasant Hill Drive, at Carter’s Crossroads. After about 3 miles the school will appear on your right directly across from Georgetown County Fire Station 4.

If you decide to seek shelter please remember to bring the following items with you. Blankets, sleeping bags; toiletries; prescription medications; games for children; diapers and baby food. Do not bring pets or weapons.

If you need transportation to a shelter the pickup points in the City are Foodlion South on south Fraser Street; St. Stephens AME Church on Winyah Street and the old Walmart building on North Fraser Street. Pickup sites are available today 7 to 10 am.

If you decide to remain in your home during the storm please use caution with candles and lanterns. Keep them away from combustibles and children. Check your smokedetector and consider installing a fresh battery. Put new batteries in flash lights and keep flash lights in places you can find easily if the electrical power goes out.

You should also put fresh batteries in a battery operated radio so you can listen to important information from radio stations.

An important commodity to have is ice. Consider filling one or more coolers with ice. Do not open refrigerators or freezers more that absolutely necessary. Food will remain cold for several hours if the doors stay closed.

City departments are preparing for strong winds and possible flooding conditions.

Motorists are urged to avoid areas that commonly flood like Fraser Street from Front to Highmarket, Front from Fraser to Cleland, Prince from Fraser to Cleland, Dozier from Church to Highmarket. Areas known to flood during thunderstorms should be avoided. Motorists are cautioned not to drive through water, as it may be likely the roadway has washed away, and not to drive around barricades.

Interruptions in electrical service will be handled promptly as long as weather conditions permit safe operations; widespread outages normally associated with tropical systems are not anticipated. If you experience an outage, please call 545-4600 and report your address and telephone number.

All electric crews will be on duty to handle any interruptions in service. Please do not connect an electrical generator to your household electrical service without the proper switching system. Electrical generators improperly connected to your home can create an electrical shock hazard to linemen.

Water services are supported by electrical generators and interruptions in water service are not anticipated.

Police and Fire crews are at full strength to handle any emergencies. Please dial 911 only for emergencies. The City’s radio station, WGEO FM 105.7 is broadcasting storm information. Areas damaged by the storm will be restricted to access without proper identification.

The Georgetown County Emergency Operations center has opened and both city and county officials are monitoring the progress of the storm. The Center will remain open until the storm subsides and any recovery effort is concluded.