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Wednesday, September 4, 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.
- As of Sept. 4, more than 220 DHEC staff across the state are mobilized for storm preparation and response efforts.
DHEC Careline
DHEC’s Care Line call center is open to provide information and answer general questions: 1-855-4SC-DHEC (1-855-472-3432).
Health Care Facilities
The Governor issued a Mandatory Medical Evacuation Order Sept. 1 for health care facilities located within 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
As of Sept. 4, three hospitals have closed, one is sheltering in place, and nine hospitals have been granted exemptions from mandatory medical evacuations.
Controlled Substances
DHEC has authorized a one-time early refill of Schedule III-V prescriptions for valid refills that are due within the next seven days. Additional information is available here.
Special Medical Needs Shelters
As of Sept. 4, there are 5 special medical needs shelters open and 21 shelters on standby. Special Medical Needs Shelters 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. DHEC doesn’t provide health care services in these shelters.
Please call the Care Line at 1-855-4SC-DHEC (1-855-472-3432) to determine eligibility for Special Medical Needs Shelters.
Dams
A CodeRed notification was delivered Sept. 2 to all dam owners and operators located in areas of concern based on predicted rainfall, and DHEC staff conducted pre-storm assessments of 22 dams predicted to receive five inches or more of rain. See the Sept. 3 update for additional information, including the list of 22 dams, their locations and classifications.
If you have a concern about a dam that may have been impacted by the storm, please call DHEC at (803) 898-1939.
Private Wells
Before the storm, owners of private drinking water wells should seal their well by plugging or covering all openings to the casing before the storm to help prevent it from becoming contaminated by surface flooding. Wells should be inspected after the storm for damage and any plug or covering on casing vent should be removed.
Only use water that has been properly disinfected for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and brushing teeth. If a well has been flooded, it needs to be disinfected. Seven days after disinfection, the well needs to be tested for bacteria. For more information, please click here. Please also see this brief video about emergency well disinfection.
For questions about testing a private well that’s flooded, call your local DHEC Environmental Affairs office.
Storm Debris Disposal
Two types of landfills accept solid waste from the public: Class 2 landfills and Class 3 landfills. To dispose of storm debris at a Class 2 or Class 3 landfill, please call the facility in advance to ensure it's open and can accept the debris. More information is available here.
Drinking & Wastewater
DHEC conducted assessments of drinking water plants and intakes and wastewater plants within potential flood inundation areas. Staff have been in contact with 84 community drinking water systems and 76 wastewater treatment facilities located along the coast.
Shellfish Harvesting Closure
On Sept. 3, DHEC closed summer shellfish harvesting along the coast.
Coastal Resources and Sandbags
DHEC has issued blanket emergency orders to local governments that allow property owners along the immediate beachfront to conduct sand scraping or install sandbags. DHEC also has asked local governments to provide updates on beachfront erosion and damage through our MYCoast application.
Petroleum Distribution Terminals
To facilitate the distribution of fuel to areas impacted by mandatory evacuations, DHEC requested and received a No Action Assurance letter from EPA.
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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