Berkeley, Dorchester Counties Urge Hurricane Preparedness as Season Begins

Yahoo

04-06-2025

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — Emergency management officials in Berkeley and Dorchester counties are urging residents to take early steps to prepare for hurricane season, which officially began June 1 and runs through the end of November.
Both counties have been reviewing emergency plans, hosting training exercises, and coordinating with state and federal partners to ensure a swift response when storms approach.
In Dorchester County, officials say flooding remains their most consistent and serious threat during tropical systems.
'Our typical large threat here, and as part of the Lowcountry, is flooding,' said Thomas McNeil, Dorchester County's Emergency Management Director. 'We're always practicing, always training. It's important that we train that way so that the folks that sit here are ready and well prepared.'
McNeil said the county is preparing for its annual hurricane response drill later this month, which brings together emergency leaders from across departments to test storm scenarios and communications.
Meanwhile in Berkeley County, Emergency Management Coordinator Tori Renshaw said one of the most important lessons came from Tropical Storm Debby, which impacted the area in 2024.
'That was a very lengthy storm. It spanned over the course of a week from the beginning of the storm to the end of the storm,' said Renshaw. 'That's the other thing that folks need to remember. It's not just the day that the hurricane hits. There are effects that are felt before the hurricane makes landfall and after it makes landfall. And we did see a lot of flooding in areas that we hadn't previously seen flooding.'
With continued growth and development across the region, officials say they've updated emergency plans to account for shifting flood zones and infrastructure.
Berkeley County has also released its updated 2025 Hurricane Guide, which includes evacuation zones, shelter information, and preparedness tips. It's available on the county website, at all library branches, and the administration building.
Residents in both counties are encouraged to:
• Know their evacuation zones
• Update emergency kits
• Create a family communication plan
• Sign up for emergency alerts like Smart911
• Consider needs for pets, elderly family members, and those with medical needs
'We're doing everything we can at the local level to make sure that our citizens are prepared,' said Renshaw.
Hurricane season runs through November 30.
Download Berkeley County's 2025 Hurricane Guide here.
Check your evacuation zone: hurricane.sc
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