ByRiley Bean|June 1, 2021 at 5:03 AM EDT - Updated June 1 at 1:07 PM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is urging residents to prepare in the event of a hurricane as the traditional hurricane season begins on Tuesday.
Hurricane season runs each year from June 1 through Nov. 30, and Emergency Management officials want residents to make sure they stay safe this year. The agency recently created a new website,hurricane.sc, with an online hurricane guide to help people prepare.
“People in potentially vulnerable areas will be able to use this new website along with our other resources to update their emergency plans, know what evacuation zone they’re in and make informed decisions about their personal safety,” SCEMD Director Kim Stenson said.
A traditional printed version of the hurricane guide is available at all state welcome centers, at any Walgreens store statewide and at SCDMV offices in Bamberg, Beaufort, Bluffton, Charleston, Conway, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Kingstree, Ladson, Lake City, Little River, Mullins, Moncks Corner, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, Saint George and Varnville.
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SCEMD officials say that includes building a basic disaster supplies kit. The kit should include a first aid kit, fresh water bottles, batteries and flashlights, a radio, and some food.
CLICK HERE for more on how to build a hurricane survival kit.
The state says some resources like shelters might still be operating on a limited capacity because of the pandemic.
Forecasters at Colorado State University released their prediction for the season last month, calling for 17 named storms, eight of which will likely become hurricanes. Four of the eight, they predict will become major hurricanes, meaning they will reach Category 3 strength or stronger.
Last year’s record-breaking season had 30 named storms. Twelve made landfall in the U.S. and six were classified as major hurricanes. It was the second time in recorded history that the National Hurricane Center used every name on the pre-determined list.
The seasonal average is 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
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