City of Charleston Hurricane Matthew recovery update

One of the city’s top priorities was to get all city streets open. At this time, only one street has a partial blockage. All others are open.

At this time, there are no flooded streets in the city. Drivers should be aware that although Main Road at Highway 17 is now open, it may flood again at high tide. City of Charleston Police Department will work with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office to address traffic issues in the area should it flood again.

The City of Charleston has received more than 250 reports of tree issues. To date, we have addressed 82 tree related issues in the public right of ways.

One traffic signal within the city remains out due to power outages. Four traffic signals are currently flashing while extensive repairs are made. Five other signals have minor damage and will be restored to service quickly.

The water heater at the MLK Pool has been repaired and the pool is now open.

Damage assessment teams continue to evaluate areas with reports of damage.

To help in the city’s preliminary damage assessment effort, citizens are asked to report any damage to www.charleston-sc.gov/report-damage or call the City of Charleston Citizen Information Line at 843-973-7219. This information will be used to evaluate which areas of the city were most affected by the storm.

We have been communicating with SCE&G and BCEC throughout the day today. This afternoon they reported that there are 10,247 citizens in Charleston County without power. Crews continue to work tirelessly to restore power to all citizens and businesses.

We expect the Charleston County contractor to commence debris removal operations tomorrow in and around Byrnes Down and the upper peninsula neighborhoods. Additional trucks and areas will be added in the coming days.

Citizens throughout the City should begin putting debris out to the curb as soon as they are able.

Please remember, when placing debris at the curb, not to C.H.E.A.T. the system, and sort in the following categories for collection:

C –      Construction debris (building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, etc.)

H –     Hazardous waste (oils, batteries, pesticides, paints, cleaning supplies, etc.)

E –      Electronics (televisions, computers, radios, stereos, DVD players/VCRs, etc.)

A –      Appliances (Refrigerators, washers/dryers, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, etc.)

T –      Trees and vegetation (tree branches, leaves and logs)

If residents are placing items at the curb that need to be assessed by an insurance adjuster prior to being picked up, please clearly mark on the items that they are not to be picked up yet.

City’s Citizen Information Line (843-973-7219) remains active during business hours, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Updates are also posted at www.charleston-sc.gov, www.facebook.com/CityCharleston and www.twitter.com/CityCharleston.