Mandatory Evacuation Ordered As Hurricane Dorian Moves Towards South Carolina

Officials in South Carolina have ordered a mandatory evacuation of the state's coast which will start at midday today (2 September) as Hurricane Dorian continues to cause havoc.

Governor Henry McMaster has worked with local officials and made the decision to empty the coast of South Carolina of its residents for their personal safety.

South Carolina ETV lists the zones that must be evacuated no later than noon on 2 September. They are: Colleton County Evacuation Zones A and B, Beaufort County Evacuation Zone A, Jasper County Evacuation Zone A, Charleston County Evacuation Zones A, B and C, Dorchester County Evacuation Zone D, Berkeley County Evacuation Zones B and G, Horry County Evacuation Zone A and Georgetown County Evacuation Zone A.

Evacuation shelter locations will be available on scemd.org and in the SC Emergency Manager mobile app as soon as they are opened.

The governor advised in a press release that evacuees should pack the following essential items in case the evacuation period is lengthy: required medications, adequate clothing and essential personal items. Residents going to evacuation shelters should bring their own blankets, pillows, cots and special food items if they are on restricted diets.

Individuals and families should plan to board pets with veterinarians, kennels, or other facilities in non-vulnerable areas.

While pets are not allowed inside Red Cross evacuation shelters, with the exception of service animals, people can take their pets with them to any shelter so volunteers can help them make arrangements.

The category five storm reached the Bahamas on Sunday - with winds of 185mph, it is the second strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, according to Reuters.

The catastrophic hurricane has now taken the life of an eight-year-old boy. According to Eyewitness News, a grandmother of the youngster confirmed the news.

Ingrid McIntosh told the publication: "My daughter said our son, my grandson, dead. There ain't nothing more I can say because I don't know what really happened. I think they said he drowned. How am I supposed to feel, my grandson dead."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: hurricane, News, US News

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

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