Preparing for a Storm
Please take time to review Dewees disaster preparedness plan, ready your home, and formulate your own plans.
Keeping track of storms
We recommend several weather apps to follow, including Weather Underground (has great hurricane maps: google hurricane (name of storm) and models and you'll get some great maps. The ensemble model can be particularly interesting. If there is a storm out there, the National Hurricane Center sends out updates at 2:00, 5:00, 8:00, and 11:00. WCBD's Storm Team 2 also has an app that can be particularly helpful in monitoring weather on a daily basis.
Evacuating Dewees
Dewees Island and Isle of Palms are vulnerable to the danger from torrential rains, which precede tropical storm winds by more than 24 hours. These rains may cause trees to fall and block roadways. Combined with high tides, storm surge may make exiting from the islands impossible. Because of this vulnerability, the Charleston County Emergency Management may recommend evacuation of the islands more than 24 hours before the arrival of tropical storm winds.
Evacuation Procedures on IOP
This is what will happen on IOP, and why it is important to plan early for a hurricane:
Hurricane Re-Entry Stickers
To get back to your home on Dewees after a storm, you'll need a hurricane re-entry sticker from the Isle of Palms. You can register online here.
After the Storm
Help us institute a quick and orderly return to the island. Since no one can predict the devastating forces of a hurricane, earthquake,or other natural disaster, Dewees Island Public Safety Department and the General Manager will be allowed immediate access to the island to conduct a safety inspection of the island's infrastructure and to evaluate safety conditions. Visual inspections of the building exteriors will be executed and findings will be recorded.
Understanding OPCON
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: