Drivers may spot emergency crews on Beaufort County highways Thursday. Here’s why
Drivers may see workers putting out traffic cones and barrels and extra law enforcement officers along U.S. 278 and U.S. 21 in Beaufort County on Thursday, but don’t worry. It’s just a test.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol, along with the National Guard and other agencies, are conducting hurricane evacuation drills to check the state’s lane reversal plans in the event a storm threatens the coast.
No traffic will be reversed during the exercise, expected to start around 8 a.m. and run through the early afternoon, according to multiple news releases.
In Beaufort County, equipment and personnel will be staged along U.S. 278 leaving Hilton Head and along U.S. 21 leaving Beaufort. In Hampton County, equipment will be along U.S. 278 from Almeda to Hampton.
Crews also will be conducting drills along I-26 between Columbia and Charleston and along U.S. 501 in Horry County.
Drivers are asked to use caution through the areas but will not be restricted, and no lanes will be blocked.
Hurricane season, which started June 1, runs through Nov. 30.
