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Area preps for Debby, Columbus shelters open Wednesday

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By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     With states of emergency declared across a wide swath of the southeastern United States, from Florida through the Carolinas and local declarations including Tabor City, Columbus and Horry counties, preparations for the arrival of Tropical Storm Debby were in high gear Tuesday.

     That include plans to open four emergency shelters across Columbus County today (Aug. 7), a late afternoon announcement from county government said.

     Those shelters will open at 3 p.m. and include:

  • South Columbus High School, 40 Stallion Drive, Tabor City
  • Edgewood Elementary School, (Pet friendly), 317 East Calhoun Street, Whiteville
  • West Columbus High School, 7924 Andrew Jackson Hwy SW, Cerro Gordo
  • East Columbus Jr./Sr. High School, 32 Gator Lane, Lake Waccamaw

     Those seeking shelter need to bring medicines, oxygen, or other essential items they will need.

     “If you live in a flood prone area or an area that has flooded in the past, please make plans for sheltering in place or evacuating before the storm arrives,” the news release said.

Making ready

     Josh Ward, Tabor City’s Interim City Manager, said the latest forecasts Tuesday afternoon put the town in a broad swath along the Carolina’s border expected to receive from 15 to 20 inches of rainfall between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Friday.

     “That’s putting us in Mathew territory,” Ward said of the 2016 hurricane that deluged the region and brought widespread flooding.

     “We will be issuing some evacuation advisories for Elizabeth Street and the respective cross-streets,” Ward said.

     That area, and a broad section west of Lewis Street, are among the most flood prone areas in town, Ward said. Areas around Lake Tabor and Grissett Swamp are also prone to flooding. Flood waters, Ward said, might overrun US 701 near Lake Tabor, something that happened during a previous hurricane.

     Tabor City’s disaster declaration, signed by Mayor Royce Harper Tuesday afternoon, authorizes evacuations, curfew, and restricted access to public properties “including Public Works Facilities, Police Department Facilities, Fire Department Facilities, and recognized storm water arteries.”

     Loris, too, is making preparations for flooding and expects to barricade roadways as water rise.

     “If you see barricades, do not disobey them,” Loris Police Chief Gary Buley said. “There are stiff fines and we will be out there.”

     For more on storm preparation in the Tabor-Loris Community see Wednesday’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.

Posted in News, Upfront News