HURRICANE INFORMATION & EVACUATION GUIDE SHIPYARD PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

During hurricane season, it is Shipyard POA’s main objective to ensure the safety of you, our residents. Please

take a moment to read through the following guidelines, outlining the dangers posed to the Lowcountry by a

hurricane, how best to prepare in the case of a mandatory evacuation, as well as providing valuable

hurricane resources Hilton Head Island and Shipyard residents may find useful.

IN THIS PAMPHLET:

Categories & Terminology

1. What is a Hurricane? 2. Storm Categories 3. The Dangers Posed by Hurricanes 4. Mandatory Evacuations

What Should I Do? 1. Act Now, Before the Hurricane 2. Create an Evacuation Plan 3. Basic Disaster Supply Kit 4. When Should I Evacuate?

What if I Choose NOT to Evacuate? 1. Choosing to Stay During and Evacuation 2. Additional Supplies for Disaster Supply Kits

After the Storm 1. Access to Hilton Head 2. Returning Home 3. Recovery Efforts

QUICK REFERENCE RESOURCES Shipyard Chief of Security (843) 785-3310 EXT. 1006

Hurricane Evacuation Email shipyard411@yahoo.com

POA Website www.shipyardhhi.com

Beaufort County Emergency Management Hurricane Hotline Toll Free: (800) 963-5023

Beaufort County Emergency Management Website www.bcso.net/emergencymanagement

Town of Hilton Head Island Hurricane Information www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/publicsafety/hurricane

National Hurricane Center Website www.nhc.noaa.gov

SC Dept. of Health & Environmental Control Website scdhec.gov

Local Radio Stations

Choosing to Stay During an Evacuation Please note that it is the official recommendation of Shipyard POA that residents immediately vacate Shipyard grounds in the event of a mandatory evacuation order.

Due to the location of Hilton Head and Shipyard, it is crucial for residents to understand the risks associated with the presence of a hurricane and its aftermath. When a mandatory evacuation order is issued, those left behind forfeit their access to government officials, emergency responders, or aid agencies. Often times, the power can be shut off for days and clean water supply can be compromised. If you and your family decide to stay, you do so at your own risk and should prepare for the worst case scenario.

W H A T I F I C H O O S E N O T T O E V A C U A T E ?

STAY SAFE STAY INSIDE BE PREPARED

A D D I T I O N A L S U P P L I E S for your basic disaster supply kit

A F T E R T H E S T O R M :

In addition to the steps listed on the previous page, owners wishing to stay on Shipyard grounds during a hurricane should also add the following items to their basic disaster supply kit:

Bottled water to last for several days

Non-perishable food items for several days

Sanitation and hygiene items

Matches and waterproof containers

Several flashlights with extra batteries

Portable radio with extra batteries

Blankets and pillows

Kitchen utensils (ie. can opener and knives)

Whistle

Cell phone

Portable phone charger

First aid kit and manual

Fire extinguisher

A safe place within your home to stay

Re-Entry and Recovery After a Hurricane

Access to Hilton Head Following a hurricane, officials begin the daunting task of assessing the immediate damage and clearing the common areas, such as the roadways. Because of this, residents may not be allowed back onto Hilton Head Island right away. Once Beaufort County deems the area safe enough for re-entry, residents will be allowed access to the island to begin rebuilding. Please monitor news outlets and directives from Beaufort County and your POA for access information.

Returning Home Please keep in mind the following safety tips when entering your home for the first time after a hurricane has affected the area:

Enter your home with caution Check refrigerator for spoiled food items Check for electrical or waterline damage Take photos of all items in your home Inform relatives of your arrival home Monitor news outlets for updates

Recovery Efforts BE PATIENT: A hurricane creates chaos as insurance adjusters, contractors, and disaster relief agencies begin processing the needs of all those affected. Please be patient as these procedures will likely take more time than usual to complete, and the most urgent needs are met first.

BE CAUTIOUS: Natural disasters also have a way of bringing out the worst in some. Always be wary of strangers selling things and offering to work on your property, as scams are unfortunately more common after a hurricane. Please follow the advisements of your insurance company to avoid being taken advantage of after a disaster.

HELP US HELP YOU: Recovering after a hurricane takes time and a collaborative effort. For this reason, Shipyard POA urges you to familiarize yourself with the temporary housing and debris removal guidelines set forth by the Covenants and the Disaster Evacuation & Recovery Guidelines. Please remember that each property owner is responsible for removing debris from their own property, either to a Shipyard POA or Town of Hilton Head disposal site. You will be notified of any procedure changes. For a full copy of the Shipyard POA Covenants or the Disaster Evacuation & Recovery Guidelines, please stop by the Welcome Center or visit shipyardhhi.com.

97.3 FM WAEV Kiss FM

98.3 FM WGCO “Hank” FM

98.7 FM WYKZ The River

103.1 FM WVSC SC 103

CATEGORY WIND SPEED STORM SURGE

CAT. 1 74-95 MPH 4-5 FEET

CAT. 2 96-110 MPH 6-8 FEET

CAT. 3 111-130 MPH 9-12 FEET

CAT. 4 131-155 MPH 13-18 FEET

CAT. 5 >155 MPH >18 FEET

What is a Hurricane? A hurricane is defined as a tropical cyclone with winds of 74 miles per hour or greater. It is usually accompanied by dangerous amounts of rain, thunder, lightning, and storm surge. Hurricane season lasts from June until the end of November each year; and based on severity, hurricanes are sorted into one of five categories, a Category 5 being the most dangerous.

Storm Categories Hurricanes are categorized based on their wind speed and the storm surge that accompanies them. As mentioned above, a Category 5 Hurricane is the most dangerous, with wind speeds exceeding 155 miles per hour. However, all hurricanes should be taken seriously for Lowcountry residents. For example, in October 2016, Hurricane Matthew devastated Hilton Head Island, causing an estimated $65 million in damages, and was a Category 1 Hurricane when it made landfall in South Carolina.

The Dangers Posed by Hurricanes

Hurricanes pose a significant threat to the Lowcountry area for a variety of reasons. As mentioned previously, wind speed, precipitation, lightning, thunder and storm surge are expected throughout the weather event. In addition to the hazards of the actual storm, is the aftermath. With the instability of widespread power outages, clean water and fresh food shortages, and restricted travel ability due to flooding and downed trees, etc., post-hurricane conditions can pose a greater danger to human life than the storm itself. The weather conditions after a hurricane also increase the risk of tornadoes in the area.

WIND SPEED: With winds sustained at 74 miles per hour or higher, any object can become airborne and extremely dangerous, such as lawn furniture, street signs, etc. The force of the wind can be enough to cause structural damage to buildings. Downed branches and trees are extremely common and can be deadly.

PRECIPITATION, FLOODING, & STORM SURGE: Water is obviously a very dangerous aspect of any hurricane. Rainfall alone can bring 6 to 12 inches of additional water to an area during the storm, causing significant flooding that can restrict travel, cause damage to buildings and structures, and compromise access to safe drinking water. However, the largest concern is storm surge. Storm surge is categorized as the dome of water, often up to 50 miles wide, that sweeps across the coastline following where the eye of a hurricane makes landfall. Because of the winds and the hammering effect of breaking waves, the storm surge bulldozes everything in its path, wreaking havoc and causing destruction. Storm surge is very dangerous, and is the source of most hurricane– related deaths.

POST– HURRICANE CONDITIONS: After a hurricane, the destruction left in its wake can be just as dangerous as the storm itself. Downed trees, flooding, and debris compromise roadways significantly, making it nearly impossible to travel by car in some places. This limits access to food, clean water, and emergency resources such as medical treatment. Prolonged power outages make it difficult to keep food fresh and to maintain contact with outside help. Immediately following a hurricane, the risk for tornadoes in the area also increases. In 2016, after Hurricane Matthew, there were several tornadoes reported in Beaufort County, and at least one confirmed in nearby Chatham County, GA.

Mandatory Evacuations Because of these specific and significant dangers posed by the presence of a hurricane, residents of Shipyard and Hilton Head Island should pay very close attention to the warnings of local and state government officials. If the governor issues a Mandatory Evacuation order,

Shipyard residents should heed the warning quickly and efficiently for their own protection. Mandatory Evacuation Orders are not delivered lightly, and often result in the roads becoming quickly crowded with individuals and families seeking safety. As Hilton Head is a low-lying area surrounded by water, it is extremely important to act quickly if and when a Mandatory Evacuation Order is made.

C A T E G O R I E S & T E R M I N O L O G Y

W H A T S H O U L D I D O ?

ACT NOW, BEFORE THE HURRICANE

CREATE AN EVACUATION PLAN

KEEP A BASIC DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

KNOW WHEN TO EVACUATE

Act Now, Before the Hurricane The most important thing you can do to prepare for a hurricane is to act immediately, before the threat of a hurricane is present. Waiting until the last minute can cause panic and limit access to resources such as food supply and prescription medication, restrict your ability to assess your hurricane insurance coverage, and inhibit your ability to act quickly in the case of a mandatory evacuation order.

Create an Evacuation Plan Follow the steps below to prepare yourself and your family for the possibility of a hurricane:

SET A DESTINATION: An evacuation plan includes a safe destination for you and your entire household. This destination should be far outside the reach of the hurricane, and should be well communicated to family and friends. When making plans, please prepare to be gone for at least 48 hours, but make arrangements for an extended stay, just in case.

GATHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS: For insurance purposes, before evacuating it is advised that residents take photos of their assets, such as homes, vehicles and boats. It is also recommended that you take inventory of your belongings inside the home as well. In addition, it is important to gather copies of all insurance policies, family, and personal records to take with you.

ENSURE ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE: To put it plainly, the best time to find out if your home and possessions are adequately insured during a hurricane is now, before the hurricane. Contacting insurance providers to review individual coverages is strongly advised.

PREPARE EVACUATION SUPPLIES: As mentioned above, during an evacuation, plan to be gone for at least 48 hours. Be sure to prepare items for the whole family, including medications, clothing, and accommodations for any pets. For ideas on what to include, please reference the list to the right of this page, titled Basic Disaster Supply Kit.

PREPARE YOUR HOME: Your evacuation plan should include the following steps to secure your home:

Board up windows/use storm shutters Secure outdoor furniture and accessories If advised to do so, shut off electricity and water Lock all doors and windows

Please plan to include the following items in your basic disaster supply kit. These items should be consistently maintained, tested and replenished as needed to ensure their readiness should a mandatory evacuation order be issued.

Driver’s License/Identification for entire household

Cash and credit cards

Insurance policy and personal records

Cell phone and charger

Inventory of household contents, including photos

Change of clothing (two days minimum)

Protective clothing and sturdy footwear

Prescription medications

First aid kit

Family/Household communication plan

Proof of home ownership on Hilton Head Island

List of important resources (phone numbers, radio stations, websites, etc.)

This guide with important contact info and resources.

Submitted Emergency Contact Forms to your POA Welcome Center

Cases of bottled water

Canned goods for at least two days per person

Hygiene items

Pet food/pet care related items

BASIC DISASTER

SUPPLY KIT

When Should I Evacuate? Residents of Hilton Head Island should plan to evacuate as soon as a mandatory evacuation order is issued. Always keep in mind that as a barrier island with only one pathway on and off, ‘bottlenecking’ is sure to occur quickly and last for several hours on Highway 278. Having a pre– existing plan in place and being prepared when a Mandatory Evacuation Order is issued can save Hilton Head residents hours of travel time and stress when traffic backups begin to reflect the number of people attempting to leave the island at once. In addition to alleviating stress, leaving quickly during an evacuation dramatically decreases the chance of being caught on the open road during a weather event.

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