Richland County will open Tuesday for regular business hours as officials continue to monitor weather conditions and make preparations related to Hurricane Florence, which is expected to impact the Carolinas this week.
Richland County Council also will hold its first meeting of September at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11 in Council Chambers.
In preparation for the storm, the County’s Emergency Services Department partially activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC acts as the central hub for the County’s emergency response activities during severe weather events and other emergency situations. On Monday, the EOC changed its status to Operating Condition Level 4, or OpCon 4. The OpCon levels range from 5 (day-to-day operations) to 1 (indicating a disaster situation is in effect). The OpCon 4 level indicates the possibility of an emergency situation developing.
The County has not received a directive to open a shelter as of yet. However, efforts are underway to plan for the possibility to open one if needed. In addition, Richland County’s Emergency Medical Services Division is assisting with medical evacuations from the coast.
County staff is mobilizing efforts to mitigate flooding threats and other damage, particularly in low lying areas of the County that are prone to flooding and the accumulation of storm-related debris. Additionally, the Solid Waste & Recycling Division advises residents to note the following regarding roll carts:
- Because strong wind can blow roll carts into the street, roll carts should be put out on collection day and returned to a safe location as soon as possible
- Ensure the lid of the roll cart is closed securely to reduce the possibility of trash blowing out