Tools, tips offered for hurricane season

“Our toolbox has more tools to use in a disaster,” said Billy Staley, Orangeburg County Emergency Services Director.

One way the public can stay informed is to sign up for the county’s CodeRED alerts.

Once a person signs up for CodeRED, they will be notified in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts.

Examples include weather warnings, evacuation advisories, bioterrorism alerts, boil water advisories, and reports of missing children or persons. The alert will also provide individuals with driving routes to use in the event of a storm.

To register, visit public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BFBE210FBF7E.

Individuals can also receive SMS notifications by texting ORANGEBURGCNTYALERTS to 99411. Individuals will receive a registration link to register their phone.

People who register will receive all emergency alerts sent by the county. You can also opt for weather alerts.

A person will receive an alert if they are near an emergency incident.

When CodeRED calls, the caller ID will say OnSolve or 866-419-5000 for CodeRED calls. For CodeRED weather warning calls, OnSolve or the number 800-566-9780 will appear on caller ID screens.

“Residents can simply dial the number displayed on their caller ID to hear the last message delivered,” Staley said. “This will significantly reduce the number of incoming requests processed by our office and provide residents with immediate message replay. »

The CodeRED emergency alert system is funded through the office budget. The department typically sends alerts at least once a month.

“You would be surprised at the missing persons alerts we do,” Staley said.

Those without internet access can call Orangeburg County Emergency Services at 803-533-6265 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide their information over the phone.

In addition to CodeRED, the county has implemented an AM radio alert system designed to broadcast public safety weather advisories. The system went live around May 1st.

The station’s programs are controlled by the county Office of Emergency Services. Public safety messages or warnings from the National Weather Service may be issued.

The system uses approximately 11 transmitters located throughout the county and placed at various fire stations.

“The reason we chose it is because AM radios are still in cars,” Staley said. “We wanted to make sure we could disseminate public safety information to both our residents and evacuees for traffic information.”

The stations can be used to inform the public about shelter locations and food distribution locations for people without electricity.

The radio system was funded through a $485,156 federal Emergency Management Mitigation grant, with the county covering about 25 percent of the cost.

• AM 610 in Branchville

• AM 610 in Springfield

Orangeburg County is no stranger to tropical storms and hurricanes.

The region was impacted by historic flooding in 2015 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Other tropical systems have impacted the region, destroying trees, power lines and causing sporadic damage.

Although Orangeburg is about 80 miles inland, the eastern part of the county around Holly Hill and Eutawville is about 50 miles from the coast.

An intense hurricane making landfall can wreak havoc even inland, as demonstrated by Category 4 Hurricane Hugo in September 1989.

Hurricane season began on June 1, but the peak is in August and September.

Staley said forecasters expect an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean.

“The forecast has changed this year,” Staley said. “We take note of this and we encourage the public to take note of it. »

Staley said some forecasters are predicting a very active hurricane season.

This year, Colorado State University is forecasting between 17 and 25 named storms and between eight and 13 hurricanes, four to seven of which are major hurricanes.

The average number of named storms per year is about 14, the average hurricane is about seven and the average major storm is about three, according to the CSU.

This is the highest hurricane forecast ever recorded for the CSU since forecasting began in 1995.

Researchers cite record sea surface temperatures in tropical areas and the eastern Atlantic as a main factor in predicting hurricanes this year.

Additionally, a global climate change known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation will cause a decrease in wind shear in the Atlantic basin, likely creating a more favorable environment for storm development.

Residents should always be prepared for a storm, Staley said.

One way to prepare for hurricane season is to develop an emergency response plan. Accommodation should be discussed and a supply and first aid kit should be available.

A communications plan including a list of people to contact in the event of extreme weather conditions is also recommended.

A particularly important area of ​​preparation for all storms is managing power outages.

Supplies should include food, water and first aid kits including medications, important documents (health care information, property titles, insurance records), flashlights, radios , cell phones with chargers, family information and emergency contacts, emergency blankets and maps.

Other items that should be available include baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers), children’s games, pet supplies, an extra set of car and house keys, an opener -manual box, a whistle, N95 or surgical masks, matches, rain. equipment, towels, work gloves, home securing tools/supplies, extra clothing, duct tape, scissors, liquid household bleach, and sleeping bags.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests checking your insurance and documenting your belongings.

Take the time before hurricane season begins to document your belongings: photos, serial numbers, or anything else you may need to provide to your insurance company when filing a claim.