Richland County makes preparations ahead of Hurricane Irma

Richland County emergency officials and other department personnel are preparing for the potential of damaging winds, heavy rain and the risk of flooding as Hurricane Irma moves closer to the South Carolina coast.

The County’s Emergency Services Department (ESD) continues to monitor the storm and its potential impact on the Midlands and is keeping in constant communication with emergency officials from across the state and other local agencies. ESD will activate its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) ― the County’s central hub for emergency response activities ― beginning Friday, Sept. 8, with the Operating Condition, or OPCON, set at 4. OPCON levels range from 5 (day-to-day operations) to 1 (indicating a disaster situation is in effect). The OPCON 4 status indicates the possibility of an emergency situation developing.

While the County prepares, residents are reminded to have their own individual plans in place and know in advance where their families will go if flooding occurs. Any resident living in a flood prone area across the County is encouraged to make arrangements to stay with family or friends. Another reminder is to have enough medicine on hand to last long enough if the storm recovery process is prolonged.

Throughout this week, multiple County departments have been making expansive preparations for the potential of severe weather, including:

• Public Works crews removing debris from catch basins to reduce the risk of flooding, while using street sweepers to minimize the debris entering drainage systems
• Information Technology teams testing backup communications infrastructure, in order to quickly resume communication links if power outages occur

The County will announce additional information as events warrant, starting tomorrow, through the upcoming weekend and post-storm event. As weather conditions change, officials urge residents to remain indoors and stay tuned to local television, radio and social media. For the news and updates, follow Richland County on Facebook and Twitter by searching @RichlandSC.

To report power outages, residents should contact their utility providers:

• SCE&G, 888-333-4465
• Fairfield Electric, 800-499-7862
• Tri-County Electric, 803-353-8746

To help ensure residents remain safe during this weather incident, emergency officials offer the following tips:

• Purchase sand and other necessary supplies for a retailer to secure home and other items.
• Help ease flooding by raking leaves and other debris away from storm drains.
• Be sure to include pets in your plans.
• Call your insurance agent in advance and know what your coverage is.
• Don’t allow kids to play in rising water.
• Turn around, don’t drown: do not drive on flooded roadways

For the up-to-the-minute rainfall amounts, please visit the Richland County Weather Information Network Data System (RC WINDS) at rcwinds.com. For more information on flood safety, visit rcgov.us/floodrecovery/floodtools.