WHEREAS, the coastline of the state of south carolina has been placed under a hurricane watch by the national weather service; and

WHEREAS, Hurricane Floyd represents a serious threat to the health, safety, and well-being of the residents and visitors to significant portions of the State, particularly the coastal areas; and

WHEREAS, effective at noon today, I hereby declare that a State of Emergency exists within the State; and

WHEREAS, I hereby declare that all state and local government agencies perform all emergency functions as assigned in the Emergency Operations Plan or as directed by the Director of the South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division during this State of Emergency.

NOW THEREFORE, by the virtue of the power and authority vested in me as Governor pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of South Carolina, I hereby order a mandatory evacuation of all persons located on barrier islands; on beachfront property; near low-lying rivers, creeks, or streams; and in manufactured housing; in the following counties: Jasper, Beaufort, Hampton, Colleton, Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Georgetown, and Horry. Persons in inland counties near the projected path of Hurricane Floyd should take all precautions to ensure their protection from potential high winds. Area specific details for the mandatory evacuation follow:

1. In Beaufort County, the entire County.

2. In Colleton County, south of alternate Highway 17 and south of the Iron Crossroads and Cottageville Communities.

3. In Jasper County, east of I-95; and areas west of I-95 and south of Bagshaw Swamp and the Coosawhatchie area north of Taylor Mill Road (CR175) and east of Loghaul Road (CR39).

4. In Charleston County, the West Ashley area with the exception of areas in and Northwest of the town of Ravenel, Hollywood and Meggett; the Charleston Peninsula and the Charleston Neck area southeast of Cosgrove Avenue. In North Charleston, all areas west of I-26 and south of Montague Avenue; the remaining areas between Dorchester Road and the Ashley River; and all areas East of the Cooper River.

5. In Georgetown County, east of US 701 from the Georgetown/Horry County boundary to Highway 4 to include all areas east of the Intracoastal Waterway on the Waccamaw Neck and all areas east of Highway 17 from Georgetown City to the Georgetown/Charleston County boundary.

6. In Horry County, all persons east of the Intracoastal Waterway.

This mandatory evacuation order is effective at noon today. The scope of this Order may be expanded to include such areas inland as are identified on a County-by-County basis by local emergency preparedness officials for people who are deemed to be in immediate danger. However, hospitals administrators may elect to shelter in place essential personnel and patients who cannot be moved pursuant to the approved evacuation plan for each facility, after consultation with emergency preparedness personnel, and appropriate health care professionals.

I further order that all licensing and registration requirements regarding out-of-state private security personnel or companies who are contracted with or assisting companies in protecting and restoring essential or vital services in South Carolina be suspended, and that the State Law Enforcement Division shall initiate an emergency registration process for those personnel or companies for the duration of this State of Emergency in a manner deemed appropriate by the Chief of the State Law Enforcement Division.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THIS 14th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1999.

JIM HODGES
GOVERNOR

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:20 A.M.