The city of Charleston is handing out sandbags, opening parking garages and closing offices as it prepares for Hurricane Idalia, anticipated to make landfall in Florida and trek north to South Carolina.
Mayor John Tecklenburg says the city is taking aggressive steps to prepare because the storm is anticipated to hit Charleston Wednesday night as the area experiences a higher-than-normal high tide of nearly eight feet. He’s already urging people to stay off city streets.
“Stay home. Stay safe. Stay secure,” says Mayor Tecklenburg. “Don’t put our first responders at risk.
The mayor says city offices will close at noon Wednesday and its emergency operation center will be open. Storm water and public service crews area already out positioning pumps while water levels at Lake Dotterer and Colonial Lakes are being lowered in anticipation of flooding from the storm.
Barricades are being staged along roads known to flood and highwater rescue vehicles are being readied for the storm as well.
Beginning Tuesday, the city is handing out free sandbags between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Bees Landing Recreation Center, James Island Town Hall and Hampton Park.
People who live in flood prone areas are also encouraged to park their cars in one of the city’s six garages opening Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.
- Aquarium parking garage (24 Calhoun Street)
- Visitor Center parking garage (63 Mary Street)
- Queen Street parking garage (93 Queen Street)
- East Bay/Prioleau parking garage (25 Prioleau Street)
- 99 West Edge parking garage (99 West Edge Street)
- Charleston Tech Center parking garage (997 Morrison Drive)
