MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Tuesday, August 29, 2023) – Berkeley County Emergency Management officials and leaders are continuing to monitor Hurricane Idalia, set to make landfall early Wednesday as a category 3 storm on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Berkeley County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning, meaning Tropical Storm Force winds are possible within the next 36 hours.
Idalia is likely to be a wind and rain event for Berkeley County, starting late Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning. Expected rainfall is 4 to 8 inches. Other potential impacts from Idalia, including risk for tornadoes and storm surge, remains low at this time for Berkeley County.
County officials have been meeting and discussing preparations for any potential impacts to our area. Crews with Berkeley County Roads and Bridges have been out ahead of the storm, checking on flood prone areas, storm drains and culverts throughout the County. SC Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.
Citizens are encouraged to prepare for Idalia by making a plan and building an emergency kit. View our 2023 County Hurricane Guide in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
CLOSURES: All Berkeley County Government offices, the Courthouse, Cypress Gardens, Berkeley Animal Center, and all County Library branches will close at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30. All facilities will remain CLOSED on Thursday, August 31, and reopen on Friday, September 1.
- PLEASE NOTE:
- The County Landfill and all Convenience Centers will close at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30 and remain closed on Thursday, August 31.
- Bond Court will still be held at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30 and 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 31.
OPERATING CONDITIONS: The County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) currently remains at OPCON 3 (normal operating conditions), with no activation at this time. On Wednesday at 8 a.m., Berkeley County will transition to OPCON 2 with a partial EOC activation. OPCON 2 means a disaster or emergency is likely to affect the County, and emergency operations plans are implemented.
SANDBAGS: Sandbags are available at the following sites on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are self-serve. More locations will be added, as needed.
- St. Stephen – North Berkeley Fire Station 1, 124 Hood Street
- St. Stephen – East Berkeley Fire Station 3, 2173 Santee River Road (Alvin)
- Bonneau – North Berkeley Fire Station 2, 420 Municipal Lane
- Jamestown – North Berkeley Fire Station 7, 1037 Fortview Road (Honeyhill/Schulerville)
- Moncks Corner – First Street near railroad tracks on Carolina Avenue (behind Moncks Corner Fire Dept. headquarters)
- Moncks Corner / Summerville: Central Berkeley Fire & EMS Station 3, 115 Sunview Avenue
- Goose Creek – ACROSS FROM Goose Creek City Fire Department (201 Button Hall Avenue)
- Goose Creek – Goose Creek Rural Fire Department, 907 Red Bank Road
- Huger: Cainhoy Fire Department Station 6, 1004 United Drive
- Hanahan – Ballfield at Mabeline Road & Railroad Avenue
- Cross – Central Berkeley Fire & EMS Cross Station 1,1007 Short Cut Road
- Ladson / Summerville – C&B Fire Station 1, 509 Royal Road
CITIZEN CALL LINE: The Citizen Call Line (843-719-4800) is currently operational 24/7 for non-emergency calls ONLY. Callers will hear an automated response with Berkeley County storm prep information. **For all emergency calls, please call 911.**
POWER OUTAGES: Please do not call 911 for power outages. Please report outages to the appropriate provider below:
- Berkeley Electric: 1-888-253-4232
- Santee Cooper: 1-888-769-7688
- Dominion Energy: 1-888-333-4465
- Edisto Electric: 1-800-433-3292
REPORTING STORM DAMAGE: If your residence or business sustains storm damage, please report it HERE. Those without Internet access can report storm damage by calling the Citizen Call Line at 843-719-4800 and leaving a detailed voicemail.
Reporting storm damage will help Berkeley County staff gauge the extent of damage in the County and report the findings to state and federal officials. These reports will determine appropriate federal and state funding for damage caused by the storm.
For the latest news and updates on Idalia, follow Berkeley County Government on Facebook and at www.berkeleycountysc.gov. Also, sign up for all County news and alerts through the County’s Notification System HERE.
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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –
