Disaster Awareness: Recovery
This could take several weeks…
Following the disaster, public safety officers will assess the damage and initiate recovery plans and search and rescue activities. We may have downed trees all along Main/Bohicket/Betsy Kerrison and on our roads to be cleared. Electricity/water/sewer may be out for several days before it can be restored. There may be gas leaks. People who have not evacuated may be in need of medical assistance, or worse.
The Town of Seabrook will decide when people can return to the island. They will not allow residents/property owners to return until utilities have been restored and the roads are passable. To get updates from the Town, you can call 888-314-3177 or go to the Town website, townofseabrookisland.org. The Town also has a Twitter feed that you can sign up to. They will also use Code Red (go to http://www.townofseabrookisland.org/emergency-preparedness/other-resources/ to sign up for Code Red), Tidelines and the SIPOA e-blast to get information out to property owners and residents. DO NOT TRY TO RETURN TO SEABROOK UNTIL THE TOWN HAS DETERMINED THAT IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. If you do, you will be turned away.
Berkeley Electric Cooperative will know where the power outages are thanks to the new meters that allow them to monitor from a central location, and they will be working to restore power. They will be able to call in teams of workers from other parts of the state or from out of state.
- You can call (843-559-2458) or monitor their website (http://outageviewer.becsc.com:88) to see graphics showing where the power is out. Add this number/website to your cell phone or list of numbers & websites.
- Berkeley Electric advises that when you return to your home, first check your home for damages. If you smell gas, get out fast and call the Fire Department. You can call or text 9-1-1.
- If you text 9-1-1, in your first text message include your location and type of emergency. Text simple and short messages without abbreviations or slang, and do not send pictures or video. Be prepared to answer the questions and following instructions from the 9-1-1 Call Taker. If you are in an area that does not accept texts to 9-1-1, you will receive an automatic message letting you know that you need to call 9-1-1 instead.
- Berkeley Electric also advised how to safely turn your electric power back on following an outage, as follows. If your main electrical switch is off but power is available in the neighborhood – –
- first turn off all the breaker switches,
- second turn on your main power switch,
- third turn on each breaker, one at a time, and check the area that breaker switch handles to make sure it’s working before moving on to the next breaker.
The Seabrook Island Club will follow the direction of the Town on when to return to the island. It may take several days following the Town’s okay to return, before the Club is appropriately repaired, completely staffed, and at full operations again. This is because the Club depends upon their employees who may be dealing the same access issues we face, as well as with home repairs, etc., before returning to work.
SIPOA, the Club and the Town have contracted with a company to removed debris from our roads following an emergency.
- We are asked to separate our debris – vegetation, wood or materials from our homes, chemicals, brown & white trash (refrigerators, etc.), and spoiled food. The separation of debris will allow it to be cleared away as quickly as possible, rather than having to treat unsorted trash as ‘hazardous waste’.
- Please do not place trash near fire hydrants,
- If there is debris covering a fire hydrant near your home, please do what you can to clear it away.
When you return,
- Please be cautious of wild animals. Snakes, alligators and other animals may be out and about, under debris, on your front steps, and even indoors. Be alert for them.
- Take photographs of all damage and keep detailed notes, and make a list of what has been damaged or lost.
- Make temporary repairs to secure your property. Contact the Town of Seabrook Island to identify contractors who are licensed to work on Seabrook Island.
- Get written estimates from contractors.
- Keep all receipts for materials used for repairs for use in your insurance claims.
We know this series provided a lot of information for our readers to think about and actions to take to be prepared. Please be prepared. Stay safe. Thank you.
-Submitted by Tidelines Editors