Hurricane/Tropical Depression Florence has come and gone. Starting Sept. 12, the entire coast of South Carolina was under a mandatory evacuation (which is now over)with lane reversals on I-26 from Charleston to Columbia and Highway 501 from Myrtle Beach. Currently, both highways are back to normal. A nine-mile section of I-95 just south of the S.C./N.C. border was closed to traffic due to hurricane damage as of Sunday afternoon.

This is one of the biggest hurricanes to hit the coasts of S.C. + N.C. in a while. (See the tolls taken on the Carolinas by Hugo (1989), Gracie (1959) + Hazel (1954) here.)

With the help of our friends at CHStoday, we’ve compiled the most crucial resources for handling the storm into an intensive guide for you, our readers.

Some important points to consider as Hurricane Florence approaches:

As the storm approaches, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) will release updates: 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m. + 2 a.m. Look out for the latest information at those times.
You will likely see local + state emergency operations centers refer to their storm response using a ranking system called OPCON. OPCON 5= normal operations. OPCON 1= an emergency situation is in effect + a full-fledged response is underway. (Richland County is currently operating at OPCON Level 3, which indicates an emergency situation is likely or imminent, with partial activation of the Emergency Operation Center.)
Know the difference between a hurricane warning + a hurricane watch. Watch: conditions are a threat within 48 hours vs. Warning: conditions are expected within 36 hours.
The ‘cone of uncertainty’ represents the probable path of a storm. It is important to remember that even if Columbia isn’t inside the cone, hazardous conditions could still occur here.

How can you help?

Help evacuees:

Humans: We can help our coastal neighbors by reaching out to friends + family in the Lowcountry and opening our homes to evacuees. During some emergencies, Airbnb also helps connects those who want to host with evacuees through Open Home. Additionally, Richland County has opened Ridgeview High School (4801 Hardscrabble Rd.) as a shelter for coastal evacuees.

Pets: Local nonprofit PETSinc is hosting coastal pet evacuees and needs volunteers, supplies + additional temporary foster homes. Call 803-739-9333 for more info or follow their Facebook hashtag, ‪#‎OperationPETSincSleepover2018‬.

Donate supplies:

Columbia Relief has organized supply drop-off venues + item needs. The list of needs might change depending on the effects of the hurricane, but everything donated will end up with someone in need, thanks to Columbia Relief's partnerships with United Way, Red Cross + Harvest Hope.

Here's a tentative list of supplies needed:

Cleaning supplies (especially with bleach)
Clean clothes (new or used)
Personal hygiene items
Non-perishable food
Bottled water

Find an up-to-date list of donation drop-off sites here, which will be open Tuesday, Sept. 18 to Saturday, Sept. 22. Once roads are safe, donations will be moved and distributed to those affected or available for pickup. Register your business as a donation drop-off venue. To host a donation drop-off, click here.

Join the organization for the city-wide Pack the Bus donation event on Saturday, Sept. 22, 9 a.m.-noon at Soda City on Main St. + 12-2 p.m. at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in the Vista.

Serve & Connect is also hosting a donation drive Monday through Wednesday in coordination with South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association and SC Police Chiefs Association.

Items needed:

bottled water
non-perishable food items
cleaning supplies
personal hygeine items

Dropoff locations:

Richland County Sheriff's Department (2500 Decker Blvd.) | hours: 12-5:30 p.m.
Columbia Police Department (715 Bluff Rd.) | 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Lexington County Sheriff's Department (541 Gibson Rd., Lexington) | 12-5:30 p.m.
Lexington Police Department (111 Maiden Ln., Lexington) | 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Volunteer:

Columbia Relief is looking for volunteers here. You can also sign up here to volunteer with United Way of South Carolina.

Donate funds:

Locally, you can give to the One SC Fund (via Central Carolina Community Foundation) here (see their new PSA video here) or SBP of South Carolina here. Columbia Relief does not accept monetary contributions. You can also donate to United Way’s hurricane recovery fund site or the American Red Cross’ Disaster Relief site.

⛑ Build or replenish your emergency kit.

At least one gallon of water per person per day. Pro tip: in case water service is cut off, fill up your bathtub prior to the storm.
At least three days worth of non-perishable + easy to prepare food (canned soups + veggies, dried meats + fruits, crackers, granola bars, peanut butter, etc.)
First-aid kit
Flashlight
Extra cash
A multipurpose tool (like a can opener or Swiss Army Knife)
Portable generator
Batteries
Portable chargers (make sure all laptops, phones, iPads, etc. are fully charged)

🐶🐱 Prepare your pets.

Have enough water + food for your pets, and, if possible – have their vet records on hand + an ID tag on their collar. If you’re traveling, be prepared to take them with you – because you don’t know when you could come back, or what type of danger might occur at home.

Use the following website to help find pet-friendly accommodations while you’re on the road:

🛎 PETSWELCOME | Search for pet-friendly hotels along your traveling route.

🛎 Travel Pets | Directory of pet-friendly accommodations.

🛎 DogFriendly.com | Dog-friendly hotels in the U.S. + Canada.

🛎 PetTravel.com | Everything from airline pet policies to pet-friendly hotels– plus things you need to know about traveling with your pet.

🛎 AKC Reunite | Stocked mobile AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers that deliver essential, nonperishable necessities for sheltering pets when + where needed // Currently, there is one in Lexington and one in Orangeburg.

Click here to find a checklist of more things to consider when making plans for your pooch.

Don’t forget about all of our friendly local strays. If you care for a local cat colony (or are concerned of one near you), consult this guide for being a cat caregiver during a storm here.

🗺 Have a plan.

Go over how to contact your person/people if you get separated, set a meeting place, and know the evacuation routes.

Safeguard your important documents + bring copies with you in a sealed ziploc bag or waterproof case (I.D., insurance card, etc.).

Use this preparation toolkit for tips on how to prep for the storm – which is conveniently broken down into an hour-by-hour guide.

In Columbia, find sandbags to protect your property at Lowes + Home Depot.

📻 Stay informed.

Use a portable radio, TV, or your cell to follow the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, South Carolina Public Radio + local weather services.

Twitter is a helpful resource for getting down-to-the-minute, detailed updates regarding the storm. Here are some helpful accounts to follow:

Watch any of our local stations or listen to local radio for a running list of school, business, + church closures. Or look for a running list online, like the one here.

The State Newspaper is offering full access to its website for all during the storm. The Post + Courier has also removed its paywall for all news stories throughout the duration of the storm. Meaning, even if you aren’t a subscriber, you should be able to access their weather coverage.

Follow main road conditions (crashes + road closures) via the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s CAD website here (select troop 6 for our area). Check traffic via the SCDOT interstate cameras here.

Lowcountry friends, check your evacuation zone here. Find your nearest evacuation route here. For bus evacuation from Charleston, click here.

Make sure to follow your local municipality on social media for the latest closures as well as announcements on where to find supplies like water, sandbags, etc.

Counties:

Richland County

Lexington County

Other local municipalities:

City of Columbia

City of West Columbia

Town of Lexington

Town of Irmo

City of Cayce

Columbia Fire Department

West Columbia Fire Department

Columbia Police Department

West Columbia Police Department

📱Stay in-the-know by downloading weather + emergency management apps.

Find the following for free in your app store:

WIS News 10 FirstAlert Weather | Local weather updates.
SC Emergency Manager | Evacuation zones, closings, + delays.
AccuWeather: Weather Widget | Alerts, forecasts, + animated radar maps.
Tides Near Me | Tide times + conditions.
First Aid and Pet First Aid | Expert advice for everyday emergencies– protecting you and your pet. Includes videos and simple step-by-step advice.
Hurricane: American Red Cross | Real-time, local alerts for severe weather + hazards, including: earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, flood, tsunamis, winter storms, thunderstorms, extreme heat, wildfires, + more.
GasBuddy | Real-time fuel price information, plus station locations.
Waze Carpool | Find other individuals to carpool with if you’re evacuating or traveling.

🖥 Some additional links you may want to bookmark:

SCEMD’s 2018 Hurricane Guide | Preparation tips, safety information and more.

City of Columbia Hurricane Florence Updates | City + statewide updates here – including a list of flood-prone streets to avoid:

Main and Whaley
Gervais and Laurens
Blossom and Henderson
Blossom and Saluda
Harden and Santee
Monroe and Maple
Two Notch and Read
Wheat and Amherst
Adger and Devine
Wheat and Sumter
Wheat and Pickens
Heyward and Ravenel
Pickens between Wheat and Green
Barnwell and Pendleton
Harden and Read
Harden and Calhoun
Franklin and Marion
Franklin and Sumter
Columbia College and N. Main
Bull and Laurel

Click here for safety tips when driving on flooded streets.

UofSC Weather related announcements and updates | Up-to-date info page from the university on class cancellations.

The Waffle House Index | FEMA informally looks at Waffle House operations to assess the severity of natural disasters– as they typically stay open during calamities.

📞 Write down these important phone numbers.

Click here to register for the City of Columbia’s mobile emergency alert program. 📲

Richland County Emergency Operation Center: 803-576-3439 | Any questions about the storm.

Richland County Consolidated Dispatch: 803-252-2911 | Non-emergency requests for service, dispatch of Police, Fire and Richland County Emergency Department, and EMS.

Richland County First Responders/County Departments/Organizations: 803-573-3422

City of Columbia Customer Care Info Hotline: 803-545-3300 | non-emergency requests only

City of Columbia Public Works Street Division: 803-545-3780 (after hours + weekends: 803-545-3300) | If you notice a storm drain blocked by debris.

City of Columbia Water Maintenance Work Order: 803-545-3300 | For Columbia Water customer care.

Red Cross: 1-800-RED CROSS | For immediate assistance regarding shelters, etc.

Coast Guard: 803-736-7119 | Derelict boats/watercraft.

SCE&G: 1-888-333-4465 | Downed power lines + outages.

SCE&G: 1-800-815-0083 | Gas leaks.

Of course, any emergencies, downed trees, fires, etc. should be reported to 911. If you are unable to dial 911, you can also text your concerns to 911 or submit them via web on 911helpme.com.

Shoutout to all the first responders, journalists, grocers, + civic employees who are working around the clock to keep us all safe, prepared, + informed. Hurricane prep is truly a team effort.

Here’s how to do your part: think of neighbors, relatives, etc. who are elderly or living with disabilities and may not be able to prepare for the storm independently. Reach out to them and see how you can help.

Stay safe, y’all.

–the COLAtoday team