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Monday, September 2, 2019
This page will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Hurricane approaching eastern coast of United States
If you have questions about Hurricane Dorian or need assistance, please visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at www.scemd.org.
With Hurricane Dorian approaching the South Carolina coast, DHEC is actively working to prepare for the storm. This website will be updated throughout the storm. For tips, please visit our hurricane preparedness page.
Health Care Facilities
On Sept. 1, 2019, the Governor issued a Mandatory Medical Evacuation Order for health care facilities regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in the evacuation zone. DHEC is currently in communications with all 175 health care facilities impacted by the mandatory medical evacuation order, including:
- 13 hospitals
- 25 nursing homes
- 92 assisted living facilities
4 hospitals have begun closing: (1) Hilton Head Hospital, (2) Encompass Health Rehab Hospital of Bluffton, (3) Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, (4) Vibra Hospital of Charleston.
9 hospitals have been granted evacuation waivers allowing them to shelter in place:
- Beaufort Memorial Hospital
- Bon Secours St Francis-Xavier Hospital
- Coastal Carolina Hospital
- East Cooper Medical Center
- Encompass Health Rehab Hospital Charleston
- MUSC Medical Center
- Mount Pleasant Hospital (Roper St Francis)
- Roper Hospital
- Trident Medical Center
Controlled Substances
Due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Dorian, along with the possible interruption of services and communications that may follow in its path throughout South Carolina, the DHEC Bureau of Drug Control hereby authorizes a ONE TIME early refill of Schedule III-V prescriptions for valid refills that are due within the next seven (7) days.
Requirements and information for Schedule III-V, as well as Schedule II substances, may be found on our Authorization for Emergency Dispensing page.
DHEC Careline
Our call center, the “Care Line” 1-855-4SC-DHEC (1-855-472-3432) opened at 8:00 a.m. to answer general questions and determine eligibility.
Special Medical Needs Shelters
During times of emergency, DHEC operates Special Medical Needs Shelters to provide shelter for people whose medical conditions exceed the capabilities of the Red Cross shelters, but are not severe enough to require a hospital stay. We do not provide health care services in those shelters. Call the Care Line at 1-855-4SC-DHEC (1-855-472-3432) to determine eligibility.
Dams
A CodeRed notification was delivered to dam owners and operators just before 2:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. The message was sent to all dam owners located in areas of concern based on the predicted rainfall greater than 5 inches over a 24 hour period. Those areas included Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dillon, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Marion, and Williamsburg counties.
On Sept. 1, 2019, DHEC previously communicated with dam owners and operators of reservoirs to check their dams and take appropriate steps to evaluate if they should begin safely lowering water levels through the next several days in preparation for potential problems caused by heavy rainfall from Hurricane Dorian. Based on the current projected path of the storm, the department highly encouraged all coastal and near coastal counties to consider lowering their water levels starting on Sept. 1, 2019.
If you have a concern about a dam that may have been impacted by the storm, please call DHEC at (803) 898-1939.
Coastal Resources and Sandbags
DHEC has issued blanket emergency orders to local governments to allow property owners along the immediate beachfront to conduct sand scraping or install sandbags to provide temporary protection from anticipated wave uprush from the storm. More information, as well as copies of the orders can be found here.
DHEC has asked local governments along the coast to provide updates on beachfront erosion and damage through our MYCoast application.
News Releases
DHEC Office Closures
DHEC follows the closings and delays of county offices. . The latest information on delays and closures can be found at https://www.scemd.org/closings or on local media.
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