State Agencies Ready For Tropical Storm Hanna

Rob Landreth

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, National Guard and Health and Environmental Control have deployed numerous resources in anticipation of a possible landfall from Tropical Storm Hanna

By Rob Landreth
Published: September 04, 2008

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South Carolina has deployed numerous resources in their preparations for a possible landfall by Tropical Storm Hanna.

According to a press release, as of 3 pm Thursday, 76 law enforcement officers with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety have been deployed to control traffic points along possible evacuation routes and additional law enforcement personnel were on standby. The South Carolina national Guard also has 2,500 members on duty until 5 pm tonight and an additional 160 were on standby.

The Department of Transportation has authorized oversized and overweight restriction waivers for all large trucks carrying supplies for the states impacted Hurricanes Fay and Gustav while they have also contacted construction companies involved with road projects to insure potential evacuation routes will be clear.

Meanwhile the Department of Health and Environmental Control have identified healthcare professionals who have volunteered for disasters through the state’s SC Serve program. These professionals include doctors, nurses, pharmacists and social workers. DHEC has SC Med mobile medical units equipped with cots, first aid supplies, and air conditioning, which can provide temporary treatment centers for the injured. Since these units are mobile, they can be moved to areas where they are of most benefit to those who need them.

DHEC has also established Rapid Needs Assessment Teams that assess conditions and community needs following a disaster. These teams are composed of representatives from numerous disciplines across public health, including environmental health professionals, nurses, social workers and administrative support. They review community conditions and needs, providing feedback to DHEC’s Emergency Operations Center for effective and efficient allocation of resources to the area.