Preparing for Hurricane Season in the Lowcountry
As hurricane season heats up, Dominion Energy and local first responders are urging residents in the Lowcountry to prepare for upcoming storms.
Community Preparedness
Hardeeville Fire Department Assistant Chief Woody Childs reflects on the unexpected impact of Hurricane Helene, emphasizing that severe weather can quickly overwhelm communities. He advises residents to take evacuations seriously when recommendations are made. For those unable to evacuate, protective measures are critical:
- Boarding up windows: Learn from past hurricanes, such as Hurricane Matthew, and ensure that windows can be securely boarded.
- Yard maintenance: Clear out loose objects that could become dangerous debris in high winds.
Emergency Kit Essentials
Tony Chiavaroli from Dominion Energy stresses the importance of going beyond a traditional emergency kit. Key preparedness steps include:
Three Ways to Prepare
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Plan for Medical Equipment:
- Customers relying on electricity-powered medical devices should notify Dominion Energy and have an emergency backup plan.
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Manual Operation of Devices:
- Familiarize yourself with manually operating automatic devices like garage doors and electronic locks, as power outages may affect their functionality.
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Security Systems Prep:
- Ensure that security systems have battery backups or are fully charged to operate manually during outages.
Final Tips
Residents are encouraged to charge mobile phones, laptops, and portable battery packs ahead of severe weather events. For more information on storm preparedness, Dominion Energy invites customers to reach out for guidance and support.
Stay safe and be prepared as hurricane season approaches!
