On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in South Carolina with destructive winds, ten confirmed tornadoes, flooding, and widespread damage to our public utilities system and homes. South Carolina’s location, population growth, elevation, and climate change increase the probability of more damaging storms in the future. Residents should prepare for future storms and, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emphasizes, “Preparedness is not a one-time effort.”
Local preparedness veteran Duwayne Rikard of the Carolina Patriots Association, (Lt. Colonel Duwayne Rikard) is frequently asked to share information on disaster preparedness. Growing up on a farm in the 1970s in Saluda County taught him to be resourceful and frugal. Being prepared for any challenge was ingrained from his childhood experiences growing vegetables and raising chickens and hogs for meat. He says, “We raised, grew, or caught everything we ate.” His years in the military, serving in Desert Storm and experiencing war firsthand, further secured his knowledge and skill base in survival practices. Today, many civic and educational groups request preparedness sessions from Rikard, which is his passion; Our Town Magazine is honored to share his wisdom and insight.
Nourishment
“Store up non-perishable food items,” Rikard instructs. “Each person eats 1500-2000 calories a day to maintain health. Most of us need more than that, but that’s what you can get by on.”
He recommends stashing foods that you can eat in an emergency— things like rice, dried beans, canned stews, canned meats, or canned vegetables. Dehydrated foods are good, but always sample before buying enough to store. Don’t forget to stock salt, pepper, cooking oil, and sugar—staples you will need to cook.
If the electricity goes out, a grill, propane burner oven, solar oven, or wood stove are good choices for cooking. Whatever fuel you use, especially propane, remember to keep some extra on hand, and always cook outside the house to keep the fumes outdoors. Have some kind of cookware and compatible utensils, including paper plates and plastic utensils. You may not have water in an emergency; each person needs about a gallon per day of safe drinking water, which may also be used for dishes or cooking. The general rule is one gallon per person per day.
For potential long-term solutions, you need a continuous source of water, such as a nearby stream or storage barrels. We saw the use of pool water to contain fire during the recent fires in California, but treated pool water is not safe to drink. If the situation is long-term, you might look into methods of purification. Purification tablets or boiling water work, and there are many good water filtration pumps available. Bacteria is your biggest concern if you have to get water from an unknown source.
Electricity
In winter, ensure you have plenty of blankets if you have no independent heat source and electricity is unavailable. Get a generator and store fuel in the same location—outside the home. Learn to use your generator before you need it. Rikard remembers that during Hurricane Helene, several people had generators, but they had no oil. Oil doesn’t automatically come with a generator, so ensure you have it on hand. Have flashlights, batteries, lanterns, or candles available. You can purchase a few solar power chargers capable of charging electronics.
Transportation
If the roads are closed for some reason, it’s good to have some other kind of backup transportation. Lightweight vehicles used for traveling short distances, like bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, golf carts, etc., can work, depending on their battery charge.
Communication
Medications And Paper Products
Always keep a basic first-aid kit on hand, and evaluate the inventory periodically. Stock up on extra over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Benadryl. If possible, stay ahead on your prescription medications. Make sure you have plenty of toilet tissue, soap, and dishwashing detergent on hand.
Having a battery-powered radio to listen to the news is always a good idea. Generally, you can still get news for updates, even if cell towers are out. Hand-crank radios are a good idea; they don’t need batteries, and some even have USB ports to charge cell phones, and others have solar panels.
Evacuation
“When disaster comes, it’s hard to predict in advance if your best situation is to stay in place or leave,” Rikard explains. “If you have to leave, each family member needs to have what is called a Bug-Out-Bag (BOB). It’s an emergency backpack survival kit with emergency provisions and clothes for at least three days.” The bag includes essentials you might need if you have to leave but heavy traffic blocks your progress. “Practice packing your bag; you can get it down pretty small,” he says. Rikard recommends packing the following items, in no particular order of importance:
Cash: $200 cash on hand, no bills larger than $20 at the minimum. Have some of that in change—$5.00 worth of quarters, dimes, and nickels. If the power is out and you can’t use credit cards to get gas or groceries, you’ll have to use cash, and many businesses refuse bills greater than a twenty.
Cover: poncho or rain suit and something to use as a shelter in your BOB, like a tent or tarp. In a family situation, one person can carry the tent for the family.
Communication: AM/FM radio/ham radio, etc. to monitor updates. Fire starter: matches, flint and steel, a plasma lighter, or magnesium are all good sources.
Extra clothing: a heavy coat in the winter and lighter clothing for the summer.
Non-perishable food: three days’ worth of MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat), protein bars, freeze-dried food, a bag of rice, or dry beans. Canned goods are fine, but add weight.
Light source: flashlights, lanterns, glow sticks, or candles.
Identification: marriage licenses, birth certificates, social security cards, licenses, or passports.
Water: At least one gallon of water per person for three days. A gallon of water is almost eight and a half lbs.; pack carefully.
First aid kit: remember to bring enough personal medications for a few days.
Pets: bring items that are necessary to keep them comfortable and safe.
Danger often remains after the skies turn blue, but do not let your guard down. The most important part of hurricane preparedness is staying safe and helping your community and family recover. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur immediately after a disaster; be patient! If you evacuated, return home only after receiving official confirmation from both where you’re staying and back home before you travel. Clean up safely and check on elderly or disabled neighbors. Remain vigilant and aware, as many hidden hazards remain. Walk carefully around your home to check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage, including nails or glass debris. If you smell gas, get outside immediately and call 911.
Preparing to survive a natural disaster is essential and simple when we have the necessary resources and time to design and test a plan. Avoid having to anxiously rush your family through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until the last minute. Improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts now; trim trees, clean gutters, install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/ or impact glass. Locate any potential risk areas, seal outside wall openings and have replacement materials available. Buy disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked and the stores are not crowded. Now is the time to document your valued possessions, photos, memorabilia, jewelry, serial numbers, etc., and schedule an insurance evaluation to update your policy if necessary. Keep in mind that most home and renters insurance policies don’t cover flooding, it typically comes in a separate policy and requires a 30-day waiting period.
From the source The South Carolina Climatology Office: From 1851 to 2023, 44 tropical cyclones have made landfall on the South Carolina coast. Of these that have hit the state’s coast, only four made landfall as major (Category 3+) hurricanes. They are the 1893 Great Charleston Hurricane, Hurricane Hazel of 1954, Hurricane Gracie of 1959, and Hurricane Hugo of 1989. There are no Category 5 hurricane landfalls on record in South Carolina. While the official Atlantic Hurricane Season begins each year on June 1 and ends on November 30, tropical cyclones sometimes form outside of these dates, mainly in May and December. South Carolina has been affected by 13 tropical cyclones during May, with seven of those impacts occurring since 2007.
