The City of Darlington offers tips for preparation and storm safety
How Do I Prepare?
Prepare your yard for the impending storm.
· Tie down, secure, or store indoors any items around your patio, yard, or porch, such as patio furniture, grills, flags, garbage cans, hanging baskets, lawn equipment, tools, lawn decorations, bicycles, and other items.
· Empty and secure other items that could fill with standing water to reduce the breeding grounds available for mosquitoes.
· Trim low hanging or broken limbs.
· Check and secure rain gutters and downspouts. Clear any debris to reduce the risk of water damage to your home.
Stock up on essentials. CASH is essential, as electronic payments such as debit cards and credit cards may not be available. Nonperishable food, water (1 gallon per person for 3 days), two-week supply of medications, pet supplies, fuel, tools, first aid kit, batteries, flashlights, trash bags, disposable utensils, mosquito spray, and more. Find more information at Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.
Get pets ready. Make sure your pet’s tags have your current contact information should they get separated from you during the storm. Consider bringing animals indoors during the storm. Inspect and repair fencing and kennels to contain your animals.
Plan to stay put. During the height of the storm, emergency responders may not be able to reach you. Stay inside until the storm clears.
S.C. Emergency Management Division: http://www.scemd.org/planandprepare/disasters/hurricanes
Hour-by-Hour Plans: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
More tips from the National Fire Protection Association: http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/safety-in-the-home/emergency-preparedness/natural-disasters/hurricanes
Shelters
The American Red Cross shelter information can be found by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
If you have time to pack, remember to bring these items with you.
· Bedding
· Clothing
· Medications
· Your child’s stuffed animal,
· Blanket or other “lovey”
· Your emergency kit
· Any special dietary needs
In these Red Cross shelters, please do not bring pets, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or weapons.
Sanitation Information
· Monday household garbage pickup and yard debris collection will run as scheduled.
· Household garbage pickup and yard debris collection will be suspended on Tuesday. The Tuesday route will be collected on Wednesday.
· There will be no recycling collection Sept. 11-15. Recycling will resume Tuesday, Sept. 19, as scheduled.
· Debris collection will be prioritized to clear roads and bridges before returning to regular routes based on damage assessments following the storm.
Who Do I Call During & After the Storm?
· For water and sewer issues, call the after-hours number at 843-758-1127.
· For streets blocked by trees, report to 911.
· For downed power lines or outages, call 1-800-769-3766 for Duke Energy customers, or call 1-800-693-0190 for Pee Dee Electric customers.
· For issues with natural gas lines, call 1-888-333-4465.
· For all other emergencies (medical, fire, and police), please call 911.
Closings, Schedule Changes, and Cancellations
· City of Darlington offices will be open Monday, Sept. 11, regular hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. as normal. A decision on operations for Tuesday will be made on Monday.
· Williamson Park will be closed at sunset Monday and will remain closed until further notice.
· The City of Darlington Williamson Park Committee meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 12, has been cancelled.
· The City will postpone and reschedule the Park Run 5K (originally set for Sept. 16) to a later date.
· The City of Darlington Board of Zoning Appeals meeting for Monday, Sept. 11, has been rescheduled for Monday, Sept. 18, due to the impending storm.
· The Southwest Darlington Storm Water Bid opening (originally set for Sept. 12) will be postponed until 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19.
· The Special Meeting of City Council to award the bid for the storm water project (originally set for Sept. 14) will be postponed until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19.
· The City of Darlington CDBG public hearing to review program performance and accomplishments conducted under a Community Development Block Grant to upgrade sewer lines in the South Main Street neighborhood and along portions of Reid, Hickory, Allen, Kirven, and Bacote streets has been rescheduled for Monday, September 18, at 10 a.m., in City Hall, 400 Pearl Street.
· The City of Darlington Department of Buildings and Codes Enforcement bid opening for lot clearing has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18.
After the Storm
· Stay put until all clear to allow emergency vehicles full access and works crews time to open blocked streets and remove downed power lines.
· Beware of debris from broken glass, construction materials, and trees.
· Stay out of standing water. Electric lines and other debris could be hidden beneath the surface.
· Do not use generators indoors or outside near windows, vents, or air intakes. Keep a full fire extinguisher nearby.
· Report downed lines or gas leaks.
· Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage, including boarding windows or covering roof damage with tarps.
· Document damages with photos or video and keep a list of damaged or lost items.
· Report any losses to insurance companies as soon as possible.
Where Can I Learn More?
Updates and information will be sent to radio, newspaper, and TV media partners in the area as well as posted on the City website, www.DarlingtonSConline.com, and on the City Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DarlingtonSC.
