During coastal stops, Sanford says more may seek shelter this storm season

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP)—The troubled economy may lead more coastal residents to head to shelters or simply hunker down at home rather than drive inland if storms threaten them this hurricane season, Gov. Mark Sanford said Monday.

There are 247 evacuation shelters in the state, nine more than a year ago. The economy “is part of the reason we have nine additional ones open,“ Sanford said during his yearly tour along the coast urging residents to put plans in place for the hurricane season which started June 1.

Sanford said the shelters, if all were pressed into service, could house 156,000 people. He added that while state and local governments are prepared, people must also take responsibility for themselves.

“What storms have consistently shown through history is that you can lose a lot of stuff but if you don’t watch out, you can lose a lot more than stuff” such as your life, Sanford.

He said just like paying taxes and insurance, coastal residents should be “setting aside, as a priority, money to take a trip to Columbia or wherever else to get out of harm’s way.“

Sanford said he worries about complacency along the coast, which has not had a direct hit from a devastating storm in two decades. September marks 20 years since Hurricane Hugo, a Category 4 storm with 135 mph winds, smashed into Charleston.

“It’s been a long time, and with that long time comes the danger of complacency,“ he said. “People begin to think it doesn’t come all that often to South Carolina - it hits Florida, it hits North Carolina but we’re OK.“

Sanford said that while this year is predicted to be an average season with 12 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes “average can be catastrophic if a storm hits in your neck of the woods.“

Sanford urged residents to have a hurricane plan and have hurricane kits with water, medicines and other supplies.

Kim Stenson, the chief of staff of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, said if a Category 4 or 5 storm threatened, it would take 31 hours to clear the central coast - 20 hours if the eastbound lanes of Interstate 26 are reversed.

Sanford urged people who want to evacuate inland to leave early.

“You can’t exit the number of people who live on the South Carolina coast now and expect to drive west at 65 mph,“ he said. “Leave at the point you feel uncomfortable or want to avoid the rush.“