South Carolina Governor Declares State of Emergency as Tropical Disturbance 94L Develops
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued a state of emergency on September 26th as officials monitor the development of Tropical Disturbance 94L. The governor is urging all South Carolinians to prepare for potential impacts sooner rather than later.
Potential Impact of Tropical Disturbance 94L
According to the governor's executive order, the tropical disturbance is expected to move from Hispaniola towards South Carolina and is expected to intensify over the weekend. The order states that the storm could impact the state, and the broader Southern region of the U.S., as early as late Sunday or early Monday, bringing strong winds, storm surge, and significant rainfall.
State Emergency Operations Activated
The governor's declaration activates the South Carolina emergency operations plan. This directs the state emergency management division to immediately start preparation and coordination with all relevant state agencies to prepare for the potential impact of the storm.
"As this storm approaches our coast, I am issuing a State of Emergency to ensure Team South Carolina is able to access and deploy the resources and personnel needed to prepare for and respond to this storm," McMaster said in a statement. "While the storm's arrival, speed, and intensity remain hard to predict, we do know that it will bring signficant wind, heavy rainfall, and flooding across the ENTIRE state of South Carolina. We have seen this before."
Preparation is Key for South Carolinians
Governor McMaster strongly encourages all South Carolinians to review their hurricane plans and diligently monitor the storm's progress through local news and updates provided by the National Hurricane Center. Taking proactive steps now is crucial to ensuring safety and preparedness.
- Build a disaster supply kit with water and nonperishable foods.
- Download the South Carolina Emergency Manager app.
- Plan for potential power outages with backup cell phone chargers.
Upstate Expected to See Heavy Rains
Spartanburg Emergency Management Division Director Doug Bryson addressed the disturbance earlier on September 26th, prior to the state of emergency declaration. As of now, the Upstate region is primarily expecting to see heavy rains, but officials will continue to monitor the situation closely throughout the weekend.
