Disasters often strike with little or no warning. These tips will help you prepare for and survive the most likely emergencies in our state.
House fires
Advance knowledge of the safest route out of the house is the key to surviving this disaster, which strikes all too frequently in South Carolina—mostly during winter months, when people are trying to keep warm.
Earthquakes
The catch phrase to remember is “Drop, Cover and Hold.” Get down on the floor, try to get under something like a table and hang on until the shaking stops. In case you didn’t know, the entire state of South Carolina has a “moderate to high risk” for earthquakes. A notorious 7.3 quake that hit Charleston in 1886 was felt from New York to Havana.
Ice storms
Ice created by severe winter storms can snap trees, limbs and utility poles leading to widespread power outages. Emergency provisions, including the all-important flashlights and extra batteries, really come in handy in this situation.
Tornadoes
If authorities issue a tornado “watch,” that tells you the formation of a tornado is possible. You’ll want to monitor your local television or radio station and make sure your emergency evacuation kit is handy. If and when a tornado “warning” is issued, that means either a twister has been spotted or has been picked up by radar. In short, it’s time to take cover. Since most homes in South Carolina do not have basements, families should seek protection on the lowest floor in the house and in the smallest room or in a hallway away from windows. If a heavy object like a big table is available, hang on to the object with one arm and cover your head with your other arm.
Hurricanes
Since 1900, four major hurricanes packing winds in excess of 110 mph have made landfall in the Palmetto State, leaving death and billions of dollars in damage in their wake. While tropical storms carve wide swaths of destruction, at least they come with several days of advance warning. Coastal residents are used to the ritual of tracking named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November. While a survival kit can be a lifeline if you are forced to “ride out” a hurricane or tropical storm, the best advice for survival is to pack your disaster kit in the car and evacuate well in advance of the storm’s landfall.
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