Hanna has little effect here but preparation was good training
By TUCKER LYON, T&D Government WriterSunday, September 07, 2008No wind damage or flooding was reported and only one shelter stayed open all Friday night, as Orangeburg County, like most of South Carolina, escaped the threat of Tropical Storm Hanna.
Still, thankful emergency officials say the precautions taken were good training for future storms.
Orangeburg County Emergency Services Director John Smith said that, despite earlier concerns, the community has been fortunate.
“We had to make our decisions based on the forecast track. We had gusty winds in the far eastern end of the county, but nothing damaging. We’re just glad we didn’t have anything more serious,” he said. “We’ve got our system and plans in place. Hopefully, we won’t have to test them again, but we’re early in the hurricane season.”
Although Hurricane Ike “is looking a little better for us,” Smith said drastic changes in the projected path of Tropical Storm Hanna came as a surprise Friday.
As Hanna’s path suddenly shifted to the west, Orangeburg County emergency officials opened three shelters for those in manufactured homes, campers and other vulnerable structures.
“We closed the Bowman-Bethune shelter around 11 p.m. because there was no threat and no one came,” said Smith’s wife, Cindy, who heads the Greater Edisto Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“One lady came to the Orangeburg-Wilkinson shelter and once the threat passed, she felt safe to go home. So, we closed Orangeburg-Wilkinson around midnight,” Cindy Smith continued.
The shelter at Lake Marion High School, south of Santee, remained open all night and closed on Saturday.
In all, 28 people were sheltered in the county.
Cindy Smith said a good motto is “pray for the best and plan for the worst.” And, she said, Hurricane Ike could be a monster storm.
“The path right now has it going into Florida and the Gulf (of Mexico). That’s the same path they had Hanna going in,” she said. “So we can’t let our guard down.”
T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@times anddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.
