S.C. agencies to prepare for hurricane season with evacuation exercise
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety, along with multiple agencies across the state, will conduct a full-scale hurricane evacuation exercise this week.
The exercise will take place on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The department of public safety is collaborating with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division for the evacuation exercise.
The hurricane exercise is designed to test lane reversal plans in the event of a coastal evacuation order, according to a press release. Personnel and equipment from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and the South Carolina Department of Transportation will be deployed.
A central part of this is testing lane reversal plans for the state’s three major coastal areas. Officials want to point out that no lanes will actually be reversed during the evacuation exercise.
Intersections will also not be blocked, and drivers will be able to move freely, but are encouraged to be cautious and aware that officers and state personnel are on the shoulders of the highways and at exits.
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The exercise will simulate reversal operations on U.S. 278 and U.S. 21. The deployment of equipment and personnel will be made on these roads leading out of Hilton Head and Beaufort.
SCDOT equipment will be stationed on U.S. 278 from Almeda to Hampton in Hampton County. Law enforcement personnel and traffic control devices will be deployed along Interstate 26 from the intersection of the 197 mm (Nexton Parkway) and I-26 in Charleston to I-77 and I-26 in Columbia. Traffic control equipment and personnel will be stationed on U.S. 501 beginning at S.C. 544 and ending at U.S. 378, as well as between S.C. 22 and the Marion By-.
The Civil Air Patrol, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the South Carolina Forestry Commission will be flying assigned aerial surveillance routes, according to a press release.
“Forecasts are pointing to an active hurricane season,” said SC Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson. “Hurricane Helene was a reminder that it only takes one storm to cause major impacts for South Carolina. It’s critical for everyone, not only people who live along the coast, to review and practice their hurricane plans now.”
Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell expressed the importance of planning and preparation for potential hurricane evacuations:
“Our annual evacuation exercise remains a critical part of our preparedness efforts for hurricane season,” said Powell. “Through close coordination with SCDPS and other partner agencies, SCDOT is committed to ensuring we are ready to respond quickly and effectively to protect the safety of all South Carolinians.”
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