The Dewees Island Hurricane Preparedness Plan works with Charleston County’s alert levels. These alert notices can vary according to conditions. This is an explanation of OPCON (Operating Conditions) levels:
OPCON 4: Possible Threat
A hurricane course is predicted for the East Coast in the next 5 days: residents should be aware and begin to make plans.
OPCON 3, Stand By – Significant Threat
A Hurricane watch may be issued; storm is within 1-2 days.
Dewees Island POA will issue a Recommended Evacuation Notice.
- Owners and guests who leave early (early leavers) will be able to choose their preferred evacuation route. Owners and guests who do not leave until evacuation orders are given will be required to follow designated evacuation routes.
- After early leavers are transported, the two new ferries will be removed to the Boat Yard, and the Parker will be run at this time.
OPCON 2- Hurricane Conditions Imminent
Hurricane Warning; storm is within 18-36 hours.
Dewees will issue a Mandatory Evacuation Order.
- The General Manager and Dewees Island Public Safety personnel will remain on the island until they must evacuate for their safety.
- Once they evacuate, there will be NO UTILITY SERVICES, FIRE, and SECURITY OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ON THE ISLAND.
OPCON 1: Emergency in Progress
All people on Dewees Island should have evacuated.
- When an evacuation is ordered, IOP police will block island access at the Breach Inlet Bridge and IOP Connector to all except emergency and official vehicles.
- Once the Isle of Palms Fire and Police Departments evacuate, there will be NO FIRE, POLICE OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ON IOP.
- At this point, evacuation accesses will be blocked.