Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Prior to the arrival of heavy weather the Public Works Department's primary function is to prepare City facilities to weather the storm. Public Works will continue garbage and trash pick up as long as possible, stopping only when routes are completed or other government support agencies cease operations.

Public Works does NOT have a large supply of sandbags and can only provide sandbags for individuals who pick them up early during an event. Sandbags and sand can be obtained from the following local vendors:

Public Works swings into action after the storm. Clearing streets and drainage ditches and repairing traffic signals are the top priorities. A Charleston Countywide program is designed to clear all roads. Main arteries will be cleared first followed by secondary streets and roads. Public Works will augment the county effort. Once roads are cleared the Sanitation Division will begin the task of picking up leaves, limbs and trash.

If you have concerns about potable water contact the Commissioners of Public Works; sanitary sewer - North Charleston Sewer District. Electricity and natural gas questions should be channeled to S.C.E. & G; telephone to Bell South and cable television to the appropriate cable company.

The overall recovery operation is controlled by the Charleston and Dorchester Counties' Emergency Preparedness Command Centers who direct our efforts through the City's Command Center. Almost all of the common questions concerning road and ditch cleaning, garbage and trash pick up and related information will be answered by news releases to the local radio and television stations by the Command Centers. Requests for service should be channeled through those Centers.