Governor Adds Horry and Georgetown Counties to Evacuation Orders
Thursday morning, Gov. Haley said not enough coastal residents have evacuated ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Officials were expecting 250,000 people to move away from the cost, but with only 175,000 people gone, more residents need to leave, she said.
"If you are still sitting at home, if you have not evacuated, gas stations are getting ready to close. Your pharmacies are getting ready to close. Everything is going to leave, because people have to protect their own families, so they’re all going to do that.”
The Governor urged residents to fuel up quickly. She added said Circle K gas stations will close at noon.
Gov. Haley advised residents that most hotels in the state are full.
“All of the hotels across the state, not including the cost, are pretty much full. I think we have a few rooms left in Anderson, but your best bet now is Charlotte.”
Hurricane Matthew is forecasted to strengthen to a category four storm Thursday night, as it approaches the east coast of Florida. Officials said eventually, Matthew will take a turn to the north, gradually weaken and (is expected to) pass just off the South Carolina coast late Friday night and during the day Saturday.
Hurricane watches are currently in effect through Charleston County and prototype storm surge watches may likely be expanded later Thursday and there is also the possibility of warnings being issued . Conditions are expected to be at the worse Saturday and into Saturday night,
Portions of Horry and Georgetown Counties (Zone A) will start evacuations at Noon Thursday. Haley said the big concerns officials have are storm surges, they may impact further inland than many people realize.
“That’s a lot of water all at once. The winds are going to be incredibly high.” Haley said officials are also considered about the rain. She added rains may cause situations similar to what the state experienced during the October 2015 flood.
By the Numbers
38 Shelters currently open
50 shelters are on standby
677 SC residents currently in shelters
1 Hr. 21 - min. avg. travel time from Charleston to Columbia
70 Miles an hour- avg. travel speed