Due to the evacuation order issued by Governor Henry McMaster earlier today, city offices will close tomorrow, Tuesday, September 11, at 12 p.m. and will remain closed through Friday, September 14.
The city has shifted to OPCON 2 as officials continue to monitor Hurricane Florence’s track and prepare for potential impacts to the Charleston area.
Earlier today, city emergency management officials held a press conference, which can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/CityCharleston/videos/232234884110021/
Garbage and trash collections will not occur tomorrow through Friday, as all public service employees assist with storm preparations.
Beginning at 2 p.m. tomorrow, city parking garages, excluding the Gaillard Center garage, will be open for citizens to park their cars for free for the duration of the storm.
Self-serve sandbags will be available to residents through Wednesday, September 12, or until supplies run out, at four locations, the old Piggly Wiggly site on Sumar Street in West Ashley, the Charleston Fire Station at 1985 Bees Ferry Road in West Ashley, the Public Service building at 2150 Milford Street on the peninsula, and James Island Town Hall at 1238-B Camp Road.
All city commission, committee, and council meetings, including City Council, scheduled for September 11-14 have been postponed until further notice.
The city’s Hurricane Information webpage can be accessed at http://www.charleston-sc.gov/hurricane-information. Updates on the city’s preparations for Hurricane Florence will be released and posted to the webpage as new information becomes available.
For the most accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts, residents should stay tuned to the National Hurricane Center (www.nhc.noaa.gov/) and National Weather Service Charleston (www.weather.gov/chs/) websites, as well as local media and the FEMA app.
The city of Charleston Citizens Services Desk will be staffed beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning to answer citizen’s questions about the city’s preparations for the storm. Additional hurricane preparedness information can be found at www.scemd.org.