Charleston County, South Carolina — Local governments in the Lowcountry are ramping up preparations as a tropical disturbance off the coast raises concerns about potential flooding and storm damage.
Despite the fact that the system is still not a named storm, Charleston city leaders held an emergency meeting on Friday and announced precautionary measures. Crews have begun to deploy water pumps and staging barricades, while the fire department prepares its high-water vehicles. Officials are also preparing mass communications to keep residents informed.
Charleston Chief Fire Marshal Michael Julazadeh stated that the city is treating the disturbance as if consequences are expected.
“Even though this is not formed yet, we are treating it as if we’re expecting some kind of impact,” she said. “That is critical. We do not want to downplay the situation. We want everyone to start preparing; use the weekend to get your families ready, review emergency guides, and ensure you’re ready in case this has an impact on our area.”
City officials said communication teams are also contacting local businesses, including carriage ride operators, to prepare for potential disruptions. Leaders urged residents to take the situation seriously and continue to monitor developments.
On Folly Beach, Mayor Tim Goodwin issued a declaration of emergency, granting city leaders the authority to act quickly to protect public safety. The declaration allows for measures such as road closures, curfews, and temporary command of boats and vehicles if necessary.
Goodwin urged residents to take action immediately, including making evacuation plans.
“Hopefully we won’t have to evacuate, but if they do call for evacuations we need to pay attention and be early,” according to Goodwin. “If you believe you need to evacuate, leave today. Don’t wait two days because traffic gets backed up and it becomes difficult to do.”
Officials said the precautions are intended to ensure safety and preparedness if the tropical system hits the Lowcountry.
