Ravenel Bridge open for service

Per the SCDOT, the Ravenel Bridge is now open for service after the temporary stoppage for an inspection.

UPDATE: Curfew In Effect

UPDATE: Town of Mount Pleasant curfew in effect until 6 a.m.

Town of Mount Pleasant Curfew Reminder

Town of Mount Pleasant Curfew Reminder

Hurricane Matthew 10/7/2016 5 a.m. Update

KEY MESSAGES:

1.  Matthew is likely to produce devastating impacts from storm
surge, extreme winds, and heavy rains along extensive portions of
the east-central and northeast coast of Florida today.

2.  Evacuations are not just a coastal event.  Strong winds will
occur well inland from the coast, and residents of mobile
homes under evacuation orders are urged to heed those orders.

3.  Hurricane winds increase very rapidly with height, and residents
of high-rise buildings are at particular risk of strong winds. Winds
at the top of a 30-story building will average one Saffir-Simpson
category higher than the winds near the surface.

4.  When a hurricane is forecast to take a track roughly parallel to
a coastline, as Matthew is forecast to do from Florida through South
Carolina, it becomes very difficult to specify impacts at any one
location.  Only a small deviation of the track to the left of the
NHC forecast could bring the core of a major hurricane onshore
within the hurricane warning area in Florida and Georgia.  Modest
deviations to the right could keep much of the hurricane-force winds
offshore.  Similarly large variations in impacts are possible in the
hurricane watch and warning areas in northeast Georgia and South
Carolina.

5.  The National Hurricane Center is issuing Potential Storm Surge
Flooding Maps, and Prototype Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphics for
Matthew.  It is important to remember that the Potential Storm Surge
Flooding Map does not represent a forecast of expected inundation,
but rather depicts a reasonable worst-case scenario -- the amount of
inundation that has a 10 percent chance of being exceeded.

CARTA Ending Emergency Service

CARTA will end its emergency service – on-demand pickup for seniors, pet owners and those at blue hurricane signs downtown – at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. Until then, anyone who needs a ride is asked to call the Charleston County Emergency Operations Center at (843) 746-3900 to get started.

More information will be available as this situation progresses. The latest on CARTA service alterations can be found at:

• www.ridecarta.com/hurricanematthew
• Facebook/rideCARTA
• Twitter: @rideCARTA
• CARTA Customer Service: (843) 724-7420

MEDIA CONTACT

Daniel Brock, (919) 820-2612, dbrock@rawlemurdy.com 

Sebastian Hale, (336) 409-3856, shale@rawlemurdy.com

Hurricane Matthew 10/6/2016 5pm Update

KEY MESSAGES:

1.  Matthew is likely to produce devastating impacts from storm
surge, extreme winds, and heavy rains in the northwestern Bahamas
today, and along extensive portions of the east coast of Florida
tonight.

2.  Evacuations are not just a coastal event.  Strong winds will
occur well inland from the coast, and residents of mobile
homes under evacuation orders are urged to heed those orders.

3.  Hurricane winds increase very rapidly with height, and residents
of high-rise buildings are at particular risk of strong winds. Winds
at the top of a 30-story building will average one Saffir-Simpson
category higher than the winds near the surface.

4.  When a hurricane is forecast to take a track roughly parallel
to a coastline, as Matthew is forecast to do from Florida through
South Carolina, it becomes very difficult to specify impacts at
any one location.  Only a small deviation of the track
to the left of the NHC forecast could bring the core of a major
hurricane onshore within the hurricane warning area in Florida and
Georgia.  Modest deviations to the right could keep much of the
hurricane-force winds offshore.  Similarly large variations in
impacts are possible in the hurricane watch and warning areas in
northeast Georgia and South Carolina.

5.  The National Hurricane Center is issuing Potential Storm Surge
Flooding Maps, and Prototype Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphics for
Matthew.  It is important to remember that the Potential Storm Surge
Flooding Map does not represent a forecast of expected inundation,
but rather depicts a reasonable worst-case scenario - the amount of
inundation that has a 10 percent chance of being exceeded.  In
addition, because the Flooding Map is based on inputs that extend
out only to about 72 hours, it best represents the flooding
potential in those locations within the watch and warning areas in
Florida and Georgia.

Bridge Procedures in High Winds

There is no current plan to close any of the bridges in Mount Pleasant during the evacuation phase of this storm. The picture below explains what procedures are used in high winds.

Curb Items

Please do not start putting extra items at the curb. No special runs will be made to collect them. This includes furniture, tree limbs, etc.

Hurricane Matthew Update 10/6/2016 11am

1.  Matthew is likely to produce devastating impacts from storm
surge, extreme winds, and heavy rains in the central and
northwestern Bahamas today, and along portions of the east
coast of Florida tonight.

2.  When a hurricane is forecast to take a track roughly parallel
to a coastline, as Matthew is forecast to do from Florida through
South Carolina, it becomes very difficult to specify impacts at
any one location.  For example, only a small deviation of the track
to the left of the NHC forecast could bring the core of a major
hurricane onshore within the hurricane warning area in Florida and
Georgia.  However, a small deviation to the right could keep the
hurricane-force winds offshore.  Similarly large variations in
impacts are possible in the hurricane watch area in northeast
Georgia and South Carolina.

3.  Tropical storm or hurricane conditions could affect eastern
North Carolina later this week or this weekend, even if the center
of Matthew remains offshore.

4.  The National Hurricane Center is issuing Potential Storm Surge
Flooding Maps, and Prototype Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphics for
Matthew.  It is important to remember that the Potential Storm Surge
Flooding Map does not represent a forecast of expected inundation,
but rather depicts a reasonable worst-case scenario - the amount of
inundation that has a 10 percent chance of being exceeded.  In
addition, because the Flooding Map is based on inputs that extend
out only to about 72 hours, it best represents the flooding
potential in those locations within the watch and warning areas in
Florida and Georgia.

Communications

Make sure you are following our social media platforms and have our smartphone app downloaded. We will put out critical information regarding Hurricane Matthew on these platforms throughout the storm. Our smartphone app allows us to send critical notifications directly to your phone.

Twitter - @mountpleasantpd
Facebook - www.facebook.com/mountpleasantpd
Instagram - mountpleasantpolice
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantPD/videos
Nextdoor - http://www.nextdoor.com
Blog - http://www.mppdnews.blogspot.com

Smartphone App Downloads:

iOS- https://appsto.re/us/ieL5P.i

Android- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netgalaxystudios.tomppd&hl=en

Hurricane Matthew Key Points

KEY MESSAGES:

1.  Matthew is likely to produce devastating impacts from storm
surge, extreme winds, and heavy rains in the central and
northwestern Bahamas today, and along portions of the east
coast of Florida tonight.

2.  When a hurricane is forecast to take a track roughly parallel
to a coastline, as Matthew is forecast to do from Florida through
South Carolina, it becomes very difficult to specify impacts at
any one location.  For example, only a small deviation of the track
to the left of the NHC forecast could bring the core of a major
hurricane onshore within the hurricane warning area in Florida and
Georgia.  However, a small deviation to the right could keep the
hurricane-force winds offshore.  Similarly large variations in
impacts are possible in the hurricane watch area in northeast
Georgia and South Carolina.

3.  Tropical storm or hurricane conditions could affect eastern
North Carolina later this week or this weekend, even if the center
of Matthew remains offshore.

4.  The National Hurricane Center is issuing Potential Storm Surge
Flooding Maps, and Prototype Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphics for
Matthew.  It is important to remember that the Potential Storm Surge
Flooding Map does not represent a forecast of expected inundation,
but rather depicts a reasonable worst-case scenario - the amount of
inundation that has a 10 percent chance of being exceeded.  In
addition, because the Flooding Map is based on inputs that extend
out only to about 72 hours, it best represents the flooding
potential in those locations within the watch and warning areas in
Florida and Georgia.

Emergency Shelters

For Immediate Release

Contact: Chaney Adams, 803-528-7217

Joe Farmer or Derrec Becker, 803-737-8500

               

Emergency Shelters Now Open

Columbia, S.C. (Wednesday, October 5, 2016) – The South Carolina Response Team today announced the opening of shelters across the state for residents and visitors who are evacuating from coastal areas as Hurricane Matthew approaches. Shelters began opening on Wednesday, October 5, and as of 5 PM there are 32 shelters open.

Shelters are generally the place of last resort. Individuals and families are encouraged to have emergency plans in place. These plans should include relatives or friends with whom you can stay or locations to which you will travel. In the event that you must use a shelter, be sure to make arrangement for your pets; pets are not allowed in official shelters with the exception of two listed below.

The Department of Social Services is designated as the lead agency for coordinating mass care operations. In particular, DSS works with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Department of Health and Environmental Control and other state agencies and volunteer relief organizations in disaster situations to coordinate the capability to meet basic human needs (shelter, food, bulk distribution of emergency relief supplies, disaster welfare inquiries, and emergency social services).

SCDSS is has placed an additional 60 shelters in stand-by mode, ready to host evacuees if needed.

As of 5:00 p.m. today, October 5, 2016, the following emergency shelters are open for people evacuating Hurricane Matthew:

Aiken County

South Aiken High School

232 East Pine Log Road

Aiken, SC

Allendale County

Allendale Elementary School

4561 Allendale-Fairfax Hwy.

Allendale, SC

Fairfax Elementary School

734 E. 14^th Street

Fairfax, SC

Bamberg County

Bamberg-Ehrnhardt School

267 Red Rider Dr.

Bamberg, SC

Ghents Branch Baptist Church

1974 Ghents Branch Rd.

Denmark, SC

Denmark-Olar High School

197 Viking Circle

Denmark, SC

Barnwell County

Barnwell Elementary School

10524 Marlboro Ave.

Barnwell, SC

Berkeley County

Berkeley Elementary School

715 Hwy 6                   

Monks Corner, SC

Cane Bay High School **PET FRIENDLY**

1624 State Road

Summerville, SC

St. Stephens Elementary School

1053 Russellville Rd.

St. Stephens, SC

Westview Middle School

101 Westview Blvd.

Goose Creek, SC

Westview Primary School

98 Westview Blvd.

Goose Creek, SC

Charleston County

AC Corcoran Elementary School

8585 Vistavia Road

N. Charleston, SC

Burns Elementary School **PET FRIENDLY**

3750 Dorchester Road

Charleston, SC 29405

Ladson Elementary School

3321 Ladson Road

N. Charleston, SC

Midland Park Elementary

2415 Midlands Park Road

N. Charleston, SC

North Charleston High School

1087 East Montague Ave.

N. Charleston, SC

Stall High School

3625 Ashely Phosphate Road

N. Charleston, SC

Colleton County

Colleton County Middle School

1379 Tuskegee Airman Drive

Walterboro, SC

Dorchester County

Dubose Middle School

1005 Dubose School Road

Summerville, SC

Fort Dorchester High School.

8500 Patriot Blvd

North Charleston, SC

Oakbrook Middle School

4704 Old Fort Drive

Ladson, SC

St. George Middle School

600 Minus Street

St. George, SC

Summerville High School

1011 Boone Hill Road

Summerville, SC

Woodland High School

4128 US Highway 78

Dorchester, SC

Jasper County

Ridgeland High School Complex

250 Jaguar Trail

Ridgeland, SC

Lexington County

White Knoll High School

5643 Platt Springs Road

Lexington, SC

Spartanburg County

Spartanburg Expo Center

6655 Pottery Road

Spartanburg, SC 29303

Williamsburg County

CE Murray High School

222 CE Murray Blvd

Greeleyville, SC

Hemingway High School

402 South Main Street

Hemingway, SC

Kingstree Senior High

615 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue

Kingstree, SC

Tupperware Gym

Tupperware Road 258

Hemingway, SC

Visit scemd.org for a complete list of shelters as well as updates.

Trash Collection

The Town plans on executing Thursday's garbage and trash route collection as usual.  This is subject to change pending weather and Public Works' ability to navigate the area as the result of hurricane evacuation.

Shelters

The following Charleston County shelters are now open:

Midland Park Elementary School
Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School
AC Corcoran Elementary
Burns Elementary (able to accept pets)
Ladson Elementary
North Charleston High School
Stall High School

State Press Release

Gov. Nikki Haley Announces Evacuation of Charleston and Beaufort Areas

Traffic Lanes of I-26 Will Be Reversed

COLUMBIA, S.C. - As Hurricane Matthew threatens the southeastern United States, Governor Nikki Haley today ordered an evacuation of coastal areas in and around Charleston and Beaufort, South Carolina  

Residents and visitors in Charleston and Beaufort Counties should begin evacuating no later than 3:00 PM TODAY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5.  Residents and visitors in certain parts of bordering coastal counties – Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper Counties – should begin evacuating no later than 3:00 PM TODAY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5.

To verify whether you are located in an evacuation zone, please visit www.scemd.org and click, “Know your Zone,” to enter your home address.  Evacuation details, by region, are listed below and detailed via an interactive map at that South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s website.

Maps of coastal evacuation routes, including interactive and downloadable maps, and information about highways where lane reversals will be used as a part of the evacuation are available at the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) website.

Beginning around noon today, South Carolina Department of Public Safety, SCDOT and supporting agencies will begin closing eastbound lanes of I-26, starting in Columbia at I-77 heading towards Charleston.  At approximately 3:00 PM, all lanes on I-26 will be moving westbound from I-526 in Charleston toward I-77 in Columbia.  Travel will only be possible in one direction while the evacuation is in progress. Complete lane reversal information is available here.

The scope of the evacuation may be expanded to include other areas tomorrow, including parts of Horry and Georgetown. South Carolina residents, especially those who live in low-lying areas along the entire coast, should monitor the status of Hurricane Matthew through local news media.

Evacuees should pack the following essential items in case the evacuation period is lengthy: required medications, adequate clothing and essential personal items. Emergency shelter locations will be announced as soon as they are open. 

Individuals and families should plan to board pets with veterinarians, kennels, or other facilities in non-vulnerable areas.  Pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters.

People who live in the following coastal areas should evacuate immediately:

Central South Carolina Coast

Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley County Evacuation Zones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and I

Zone A: West of the Ashley River - Unincorporated areas of Charleston County from the Ashley River to the Colleton County line; Atlantic Ocean to the Dorchester County Line. This includes the Town of Hollywood, Town of Meggett, Town of Ravenel, Town of Folly Beach, Town of Rockville, Town of Kiawah Island, the Town of Seabrook Island, James Island, Johns Island, Wadmalaw, and unincorporated Charleston County.

Zone B: Central Charleston - From the tip of the Peninsula to Ladson Road; from the Ashley River to the Wando River. This includes City of Charleston, City of North Charleston, the Town of Lincolnville, Daniel Island, Thomas Island, and unincorporated Charleston County.

Zone C: East of the Wando River - Unincorporated areas of Charleston County from the Atlantic Ocean to the Berkeley County line; Wando River to the Georgetown County line. This includes the Town of Mt. Pleasant, Town of Isle of Palms, Town of Sullivan's Island, Town of Awendaw, the Town of McClellanville, Dewees Island, Capers Island, and Goat Island.

Zone D: Sand Hills Area - West of Dorchester Road and the Ashley River, 17A to the Colleton County line and all areas bordering Charleston County.

Zone E: Miles Jamison/Oakbrook Area - Miles Jamison Road, between Ladson Road, to Bacons Bridge Road: including the Lakes of Summerville, Newington Plantation, Crestwood Subdivision south to Orangeburg Road, and South Main Mobile Home Park.

Zone F: The Swamp - Any other low-lying areas including the Cypress Swamp area, the Edisto River area and the Twin Lakes Subdivision.

Zone G:

a. Hanahan

1. North of Woods Ave from end of road at east edge of rail yard to its intersection with Remount Rd.
2. North of Remount Rd from its intersection with Woods Ave to its intersection with the railroad tracks just west of Dutton Ave.
3. East of the railroad tracks from their intersection with Remount Rd to crossing over the Goose Creek (just south of Middle Earth Nursery and Infinger Furniture).

b. Goose Creek/Ladson/Summerville

1. Including all homes and businesses northeast of the intersection of Hwy 52 and Camelot Dr, continuing along Ryan Dr and Holly Ave across to Westview Blvd (includes buildings on both sides of Camelot Dr, Ryan Dr and Holly Ave).
2. Crowfield Plantation from Westview Blvd near Holly Ave across I-26 along Ancrum Rd to its intersection with Hwy 78.
3. Northeast of Hwy 78 from its intersection with Ancrum Rd (Ladson Rd) to its intersection with Hwy 17A (Main St) in Summerville.
4. Southeast of Hwy 17A (Main St/S Live Oak Dr) from its intersection with Hwy 78 to its intersection with Cypress Gardens Rd.

c. Whitesville/Pimlico/Cordesville

1. South of Cypress Gardens Rd from its intersection with Hwy 17A (S Live Oak Dr) to its intersection with Pimlico Blvd.
2. South of Pimlico Blvd from its intersection with Cypress Gardens Rd through to its end.
3. The area east of Wappaoolah Plantation and west of the Cooper River, north of Pimlico Blvd and south of Mepkin Abbey.
4. Southeast of the railroad tracks from the Cooper River by Pimlico to its intersection with Hwy 402.

d. Huger/Cainhoy/Wando

1. South of Hwy 402 from its intersection with the railroad tracks near Cordesville to its intersection with Hwy 41 (Hwy 402 becomes Steed Creek Rd).
2. Southwest of Steed Creek Rd from its intersection with Hwy 41 to its intersection with  Halfway Creek Rd. West of Halfway Creek Rd from its intersection with Steed Creek Rd to its intersection with Guerins Bridge Rd.
3. West of Guerins Bridge Rd from its intersection with Halfway Creek Rd to its intersection with Wando River (just after Drew Ln).
4. Northwest of the Wando River from its intersection with Guerins Bridge Rd to its   intersection with Nowell Creek with the addition of Patterson’s Academy.
5. North/northeast of Nowell Creek from its intersection with the Wando River to its   intersection with Rebellion Farms Pl.
6. Northeast of Rebellion Farms Pl from its intersection with Nowell Creek to its intersection of Clements Ferry Rd.
7. Northeast of Yellow House Pl from its intersection with Clements Ferry Rd to the Cooper River (across from the Goose Creek).

Zone I

a. Shulerville, Honey Hill, Jamestown, Alvin, St Stephen

1. East of Halfway Creek Rd from its intersection with Forest Rd 200 (on the Berkeley/ Charleston county line) to its intersection with Slash Rd.
2. East of Slash Rd from its intersection with Halfway Creek Rd to its intersection with Yellow Jacket Rd.
3. North of Yellow Jacket Rd from its intersection with Slash Rd to its intersection with Horse Island Rd.
4. East of Horse Island Rd from its intersection with Yellow Jacket Rd to its intersection with Tiger Corner Rd.
5. Northeast of Tiger Corner Rd from its intersection with Horse Island Rd to its intersection with Hwy 17A.
6. North of Hwy 17A from its intersection with Tiger Corner Rd to its intersection with Greenwood Dr.
7. East of Greenwood Dr (becomes Peaceful Woods Rd) from its intersection with Hwy 17A to its intersection with Schurlknight Rd.
8. Southeast of Schurlknight Rd from its intersection with Peaceful Woods Rd to its intersection with Hwy 45.
9. Northeast of Hwy 45 from its intersection with Schurlknight Rd to its intersection with Belle Isle Rd.
10. East of Belle Isle Rd from its intersection with Hwy 45 to the Santee River.
11. Southwest of the Santee River from Belle Isle Rd to its intersection with the Berkeley/ Charleston county line.
12. Northwest of the Berkeley-Charleston county line from its intersection with the Santee River to its intersection with Halfway Creek Rd.

Southern Coast Evacuation Zones

Colleton County Evacuation Zone A

All areas south of the CSX Railroad, and all mobile homes and other floodplain areas in the County.

Beaufort County Evacuation Zone A

All residents and tourists in Beaufort County are to evacuate.

Jasper County Evacuation Zone A

Zone A - All areas east of I-95 and all mobile homes and other floodplain areas in the county.

For all of the latest information about Hurricane Matthew, visit scemd.org. 

Transportation

If an evacuation is ordered and you do not have transportation, buses will be provided to pick you up and take you to an emergency shelter. Below are the pick up points for Mount Pleasant:

Sandbag Update

The Snee Farm locations are out of sandbags. The Six Mile location is out of bags but still has some sand for you to fill your own.


The following locations still awaiting deliveries: Whole Foods, Pearl Street, Royall/Ferry, Old Food Lion/Brookgreen Center

Waste Management and Sandbags

The Waste Management Division will be executing their normal Wednesday route today. It is undetermined if the Thursday route will be run tomorrow pending weather and the impact of lane reversal on the roads.


Sandbags are being delivered this morning to the following locations, they are available on a first come first serve basis.  Please take only what you need because there is a limited supply:

                -Corner of Royall and Ferry Streets

                -Snee Farm (Hwy 17 entrance)

                -Food Lion/Brookgreen Center

                -Bowman at Stuart Engels

                -Pearl Street at Ellen Drive

                -Kincade Drive at Majorie St.

                -Whole Foods

A pile of sand has been delivered to the PSD 6 Mile Facility.  The sand is located by the oil recycle center at the facility.  There are empty sandbags and shovels available for the public to fill up.  Please take only what you need because there is a limited supply.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

     

Every 9 seconds a victim is battered in the United States during a domestic violence situation. We want to let victims know that you are not alone! If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, please call 843-884-4176 and ask to speak to one of our Victim Advocates. In an emergency situation we ask that you call 911 immediately. Together we can stop the cycle of violence!

Coffee with a Cop