What did S.C. officials learn from hurricane practice exercise?
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – Helene last year proved hurricanes are statewide events in South Carolina – not just on the coast.
And with the next hurricane season already here, Gov. Henry McMaster ed state leaders Thursday to share the latest on preparations and what South Carolinians need to do now to be ready.
Lessons from Helene - What state officials and the Red Cross don't tell you
While CSRA residents used to feel safe from a full-strength hurricane, Helene changed that, many of us say we’ll do things differently this year.
The governor participated with state leaders and other partners Thursday in downtown Columbia – for the state’s annual hurricane tabletop exercise.
It gives them the opportunity to test and practice the state’s emergency operations plans – and is just one step South Carolina is taking to be ready this hurricane season.
“We have experienced these emergencies, and we know we’re going to have more. But we are ready, and we just want the people to be ready,” McMaster said.
South Carolina leaders emphasize annually that the impacts of hurricanes can and will be felt across the state.
That reality was unscored last year with Helene – the deadliest storm in state history.
“I am satisfied and confident that we have done important work here today and that we are ready to respond to the citizens as needed this year,” said Robin Stilwell, state adjutant general.
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The director of the state’s Emergency Management Division, Kim Stenson, says South Carolinians should take three important steps to prepare for this year’s hurricane season: prepare their homes … know their evacuation zone, if they live in one … and their route to evacuate.
“If the governor gives an evacuation order, it has been made carefully, with critical thought and leadership, looking at what’s coming and how to protect the state of South Carolina,” said Rb Perry of the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
But even for people who live away from the coast – and likely wouldn’t need to evacuate – Stenson says there are precautions they should take now to be ready for a storm.
In new storm season, are Augusta leaders ready for another Helene?
Now that we’ve lived through one of the worst-case hurricane scenarios for the CSRA with Helene last September, you’d think we’d be ready for whatever comes our way this season.
“We advise everybody, not just for hurricanes but for every event, that they have a plan, they know what their threats are. If they live in a low-lying area, then they need to consider where they need to go and how they’re going to get there. And you also need to be the help until the help arrives, so certainly having at least three days of food and water available is very critical, having some means of listening to battery-operated radio or something like that in case the electricity goes out,” Stenson said.
If people cannot safely remain at home during a storm – state leaders say they’re ready to put up as many as 29 evacuation shelters – that can hold up to 23,000 people.
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