Tropical Storm Debby Approaches Bluffton: The Town Offers Fresh Tips for Storm Preparedness

The Town of Bluffton has called on its residents, new and old, to come together to prepare for the impending Tropical Storm Debby. The storm is currently closing in on Florida, causing the National Weather Service in Charleston to issue rainfall reports and hurricane warnings. The storm forecast reveals that the area will witness significant impacts from Tropical Storm Debby over the coming days.

Preparing for the Storm: Bluffton’s Community Call

Town Manager Stephen Steese emphasized the necessity for effective communication and strategic evacuation plans. Residents have been instructed to identify their potential evacuation routes and means of communication with family and friends during this period. Upon their return, they should be prepared to find essential services unavailable for about a week. Hence, planning for at least one week’s worth of food and water is critical.

Various utilities within the town will be inspected for blockages that could cause flooding. Resident participation in the effort to check every pipe, ditch, and storm drain is needed to prevent any catastrophic flooding and resultant damage.

Lessons Learned from Past Hurricanes

Reflecting on past storm events, Stephen Steese highlighted several key takeaways:

• Ditches: Steese called attention to the maintenance and regular cleaning of stormwater ditches, many of which are located on private properties or within the jurisdiction of state or county roads.
• Social Media: The use of social media has been encouraged for its ability to provide residents with the most recent and accurate information. The importance of attributing information from reliable state, county, or local government agency sources was stressed.
• Out-of-state employers: Residents who work in neighboring states but live in South Carolina should discuss storm plans with their employers.
• Patience: Steese urged for patience in understanding safety measures put in place by local authorities, as these efforts aim to benefit the overall good of the community.

Personal Preparations for the Storm

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division has created a comprehensive Hurricane Guide, recommending residents to prepare the “5 P’s”: People (Pets), Prescriptions, Paper (i.e., important documents), Personal Needs (medication, etc.), and Priceless Items (photo albums, etc.). Town residents should also make sure all loose objects are secured, as they can become airborne during the storm, create blockages, or damage property.

Pet Preparations

Residents with pets are advised to create an emergency kit containing essential supplies. In addition to food and water, current pet vaccination records and updated microchip information should be readily available. Pet owners must also ensure their pets avoid debris, downed power lines, or contaminated water before, during, and after the storm.

The Town’s Preemptive Measures

All essential Town personnel has been briefed on hurricane preparedness protocols, reinforcing the need for breadth, and depth of disaster preparation as storm events approach. The town is also in close coordination with Beaufort County Emergency Management and other local agencies to refine hurricane procedures, engage specific task forces, and take part in hurricane exercises.

The Role of Property Owners Associations (POA)

Property Owners Associations in the town play a significant role in storm preparedness. The Town of Bluffton ensures that these associations are well-informed and equipped to handle such situations, providing continuous support and timely information regarding storms.