Confused about evacuation orders? Here’s some clarity
As Hurricane Irma swirls closer to the U.S., we answered some common questions from Lowcountry residents related to evacuation orders.
▪ Has an evacuation order been issued as of Friday?
No order has been issued.
▪ When will an evacuation order be announced?
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster again delayed a decision on evacuation Friday afternoon, but said he would brief the public again at 6 p.m. Friday. Evacuations would begin at 10 a.m. Saturday if ordered.
▪ What is the difference between a mandatory and voluntary evacuation?
When officials use the term “voluntary evacuation,” it means that the governor has not yet issued an official evacuation order. When the term “mandatory evacuation” is used it means that the governor has issued an evacuation order.
▪ What does this mean for me?
Beaufort County emergency officials are still encouraging people to leave early ahead of an evacuation order. While Hurricane Irma’s track has shifted farther west, there is still a chance the storm’s path could move again and significantly affect our area.
If you leave ahead of an evacuation order, you can choose your route. After an evacuation order, traffic follows designated routes and is controlled by law enforcement, meaning you will not be allowed to deviate from the route.
For more questions and answers about Hurricane Irma and the evacuation process in Beaufort County, click here.
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Stephen Fastenau: 843-706-8182, @IPBG_Stephen
This story was originally published September 8, 2017 at 11:29 AM with the headline "Confused about evacuation orders? Here’s some clarity."