Hurricane Evacuation Plan
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You should develop a basic disaster supplies kit and an evacuation plan in case of a hurricane. These are items you can use at home or take with you in case of a mandatory evacuation. Drinking water, flashlights with extra batteries, non-perishable food, a non-electric can opener and essential medicines are some items you might consider including in your kit. For a complete list, see the 2008 Hurricane Guide (PDF) or the Charleston county website.
In Charleston County, they often request that people leave in stages. They will call for people who live on the barrier islands and other flood prone areas leave first. They can issue a partial or full evacuation and it can be voluntary or mandatory. If a mandatory evacuation is issued, the lanes on I-26 will be reversed (PDF) to speed the evacuation process. There are set evacuation routes marked with blue signs. For a complete list of coastal evacuation directions, you should visit the SCDOT website. On this website, you will find:
- Written directions (PDF)
- Central coastal evacuation routes (PDF)
- Details on the I-26 Lane Reversal (PDF)
- Charleston City Evacuation Map (PDF)
- Downtown Evacuation Map (PDF)
It is recommended that you evacuate to a location out of the storm path. Consider staying in a hotel or with family or friends outside of the vulnerable areas. If you do not have a place to go, you should consult with the lab manager. There are alternate housing options available for dorm residents.
There are also public shelters available, but they should be used only as a last resort. Their locations are listed on page 17 of the Charleston County Hurricane Guide (PDF). If you go to a shelter, you should bring blankets, pillows, sanitary supplies, necessary medications and some food for the first day. They do not accept pets. Please make sure that shelter is open before you leave. If you do not have transportation, there are pick-up points which will take you to the nearest shelter. The pick-up points are listed on page 18 of the Charleston County Hurricane Guide (PDF).
If you must evacuate, plan to leave early. Traffic can be very heavy so make sure you have gas, cash and your basic disaster kit. Once a mandatory evacuation is called, you will not be allowed to return until it is lifted so plan ahead. Listen to the radio while on the road for the latest information about evacuation routes and storm updates. Do not wait to leave. Flooded roads, strong winds, fallen trees and power lines can block your evacuation if you wait until the last minute.
Refer to the hurricane plan for instructions on returning to Grice after the storm.