Colleton County Fire-Rescue’s Emergency Management Division has announced new hurricane evacuation zones in Colleton County for the 2024 Hurricane Season, which begins on June 1st. Depending on your location, Colleton County citizens may be in a different evacuation zone than last year. The hurricane evacuation zones have been updated to better reflect the current understanding of storm surge risk and to enhance public safety. These changes are based upon updated data and improved modeling techniques.
Fire-Rescue Chief Barry W. McRoy stated, “Evacuation zones are typically updated every 10 years or so. When new storm surge data is released by the National Hurricane Center, Fire-Rescue works with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to refine the evacuation zones based upon that data, historical storm surge data, the roadway network, topography, and population distribution.”
Areas south of Cottageville Highway, east of Interstate 95 (south of the 53 exit / Sniders Hwy), and north of the CSX Railroad are now in Zone C. Areas south of the CSX Railroad and north of the Brickyard Bridge (Ashepoo River) on Bennetts Point Rd and north of Edisto Island are now in Zone B. Areas south of the Brickyard Bridge on Bennetts Point Rd and on Edisto Island are now in Zone A.
“Having three evacuation zones will allow us some flexibility when making hurricane evacuation recommendations to the Governor. As the saying goes, ‘Run from the water, hide from the wind.’ For low end tropical cyclones that are predicted to make landfall north of our area, Zone A may only need to evacuate to escape the storm surge. However, if a Category 4 or 5 storm is projected to land south of Colleton County, Zones A, B, and C may need to evacuate,” McRoy added.Captain KC Campbell, Fire-Rescue’s Public Information Officer, stated, “It is important to Know Your Zone. If you travel south or east of Walterboro and cross Cottageville Highway or Interstate 95, south of Sniders Highway, then you are in Zone C. If you continue south and cross the CSX railroad, you are in Zone B and if you cross the Brickyard Bridge over the Ashepoo River on Bennetts Point Rd or enter Colleton County’s portion of Edisto Island, then you are in Zone A. Various agencies are predicting 2024 to be a very active hurricane season, but we should never base our level of preparedness on those predictions. Remember, it only takes one storm impacting Colleton County to make a bad season. Colleton Citizens are encouraged to have a plan. Know if you live in an evacuation zone. Consider the number of family members you have and any family members with medical needs. Don’t forget about your pets. Build an emergency kit for you and your family that includes three days of non-perishable food and water for your family and pets. You should also consider insurance as your best line of defense against loss during a tropical cyclone. Although FEMA financial assistance may be available, the average assistance to individuals is between $1,000 and $2,000. This amount would be insufficient if you have experienced major damage to your home.”
Colleton County citizens can visit www.colletonfire.com/knowyourzone to determine if they live in one of the new zones. You can also visit www.colletonfire.com/zone to obtain more information about the new hurricane evacuation zones and visit https://hurricane.sc to obtain a myriad of information to better prepare you and your family should a tropical cyclone threaten Colleton County.
Colleton County citizens can visit www.colletonfire.com/knowyourzone to determine if they live in one of the new zones. You can also visit www.colletonfire.com/zone to obtain more information about the new hurricane evacuation zones and visit https://hurricane.sc to obtain a myriad of information to better prepare you and your family should a tropical cyclone threaten Colleton County.Additionally, Fire-Rescue has placed post covers in areas within each zone.
