MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Wednesday, September 28, 2022) – Berkeley County is under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning as Hurricane Ian inches closer to South Carolina. A watch does NOT mean that hurricane conditions will occur; it means that these conditions are possible. Ian is a Category 4 hurricane with sustained maximum winds of 155 mph and made landfall earlier today along Florida’s Southwestern coastline.
Berkeley County Emergency Management officials and leaders continue to closely monitor the storm and its potential impacts and are daily participating in coordinated conference calls with surrounding municipalities and emergency response organizations. Tri-County leaders also united Wednesday afternoon for a joint press conference at the Charleston County Emergency Operations Center in North Charleston to provide the public with local updates on the storm. Watch the full meeting HERE.
On Wednesday afternoon, SC Governor Henry McMaster signed an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency and activating the state’s emergency operations plan, which enables state agencies to prepare for Hurricane Ian’s potential impact to the state.
Crews with Berkeley County Roads and Bridges have been out checking on flood prone areas, storm drains and culverts throughout the County.
CLOSURES: All Berkeley County Government offices, the Courthouse, Landfill & Convenience Centers, Cypress Gardens, Berkeley Animal Center, and all Library branches will be closing at NOON on Thursday, September 29. All facilities will be CLOSED on Friday, September 30. PLEASE NOTE: There will be one Magistrate Court session at the Courthouse at 8 a.m. on Friday. Court will resume its normal schedule at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.
LOCAL IMPACTS: Ian is anticipated to cause a large-scale wind and rain event for Berkeley County, starting Thursday evening/early Friday morning. Tropical storm force winds (39 mph and greater) are likely to be felt across the area. Expected rainfall is 4 to 8 inches. Other potential impacts from Ian, including risk for tornadoes and storm surge, remains low at this time for Berkeley County.
CITIZEN CALL LINE: The Citizen Call Line (843-719-4800) will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 29 for non-emergency calls ONLY. Callers will hear an automated response on Thursday. The Citizen Call Line will be fully staffed on Friday, September 30 and open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. **For all emergency calls, please call 911.**
SANDBAGS: Sandbags are available across Berkeley County on a first-come, first-served basis. They are currently available at the locations listed below. More locations will be added, if needed.
- City of Hanahan – Railroad Avenue (in front of ball field #1 behind Trident Technical College)
- Town of Moncks Corner – First Street near the railroad tracks (behind Moncks Corner Fire Department)
- Whitesville Fire Department – 115 Sunview Avenue, Moncks Corner
- City of Goose Creek Fire Department – 201 Button Hall Avenue, Goose Creek
- Cross Fire Department Station 1 – 1007 Shortcut Road, Cross
- Cross Fire Department Station 3 – 1980 Highway 6, Cross
- Cordesville Fire Department Station 1 – 1931 Highway 402, Cordesville
- Macedonia Fire Department – 2108 N. Highway 52, Bonneau
- Santee Circle Fire Department -1399 N. Highway 52, Moncks Corner
- C&B Fire Department – 509 Royle Road, Ladson
- Pimlico Fire Department – 2854 Old Highway 52, Moncks Corner
- Daniel Island (City of Charleston) – Seven Farms Drive (behind Governor’s Park Dog Park under I-526)
- Lake Moultrie Fire Department – 942 Black Oak Road
- St. Stephen Fire Department – 124 Hood Street, St. Stephen
- Bonneau Fire Department – 420 Municipal Lane, Bonneau
OPERATING CONDITIONS: The County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) currently remains at OPCON 3 (normal operating conditions), but will be moving to OPCON 2 at 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 29. OPCON 2 means a disaster or emergency is likely to affect the County, emergency operations plans are implemented, and the County Emergency Operations Center is partially activated, as necessary.
Berkeley County leaders are encouraging citizens to prepare for Ian by making a plan and building an emergency kit. See more information HERE.
Also, view the Berkeley County Hurricane Guide, available in English and Spanish.
For the latest news and updates on Ian, follow Berkeley County Government on Facebook and at www.berkeleycountysc.gov.
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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-
