Hanna: 2:30 Press Conference Information

Ready for your update from the 2:30 mayors presser conference? Well, here we go.

Yesterday’s message was about being prepared. Today is a story of remaining vigilant and not becoming complacent. We will not take a direct hit from Hanna, but heavy rain and wind could get nasty and possibly dangerous.

Mayor Joe Riley talked about the threat of Ike; saying the preps you make this week for Hanna could save time next week if we face Ike.

In North Charleston, trash pick up will happen tomorrow morning to lessen the chance of items becoming projectiles in high wind.

Folly Beach’s mayor Carl Beckmann had a message of caution for his citizens. He said he was worried about the storm surge, if even minimal. He reminds that there is a causeway connecting Folly Beach to the mainland and two to three feet of water can make last minute evacuations extremely difficult.

Dan Davis with Berkeley County stopped by for the press conference. He says their EOC is on OPCON 3 and expect to remain there.

There is another press conference scheduled for 6:30. We are expecting to find out more answers about the possibility of a voluntary evacuation in Charleston County.

Here’s a little factoid for you… Charleston County is the longest county on the Atlantic Coast.

Hanna: 12:30 Press Conference Details

Here’s the update from Charleston County EOC from the 12:30 press conference.

EOC director Cathy Haynes simply discussed the upgrade to OPCON 2.

I went up to the information center a few minutes ago. They aren’t too busy right now. I was able to have a short conversation with one of our friends from Charleston Police Department.

Like Governor Sanford’s press conference, the focus right now is on people who live in flood-prone areas and mobile homes. They say those people should have a plan of action already.

Charleston County schools will be closed tomorrow and all afterschool activities will be suspended starting at 6:00 PM tonight.

Joe Riley, Tim Scott and Cathy Haynes will hold a 2:30 media briefing with all the latest information. I will check in again after that.

Mayor Riley Talks Evacuations

Even though there have been no declarations of evacuation for the Lowcountry, that’s exactly what Charleston Mayor Joe Riley talked about in his afternoon press conference.

He made a point to encourage citizens to prepare individually for the storm. He talked about families getting previsions together tonight in case of an evacuation.

Mayor Riley said to leave the city if there is a voluntary evacuation and not to wait for a mandatory evacuation. He warned that traffic flow during a mandatory evacuation could force residents into a part of the state they did not intend to visit. In a mandatory evacuation – you go in the direction the state police send you – not where you want to go.

Riley went so far as to suggest visiting a friend out of town right now to avoid the traffic of a possible evacuation. He seems to be very proactive and trying to avoid a cluster in the days to come if there is a mandatory evacuation.

After a question from a reporter, he recounted his experiences during Hurricane Hugo. He said that he’s never spoken to someone who stayed in Charleston during Hugo who did not regret it.

Pretty interesting press conference this early in the progression of the storm.

There is no evacuation right now and we seem to be quite a way from that actually. Mayor Riley simply stressed – “Be prepared.”

Hanna: Lowcountry Updates

Here are a few quick updates. The Charleston County Emergency Operations Center just held their first media conference for Tropical Storm / Hurricane Hanna.

Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties will move into OPCON 3 at 3:00 this afternoon. According to media contact Jennie Davis' press release, “The OPCON 3 level means that an emergency situation is likely or imminent.”

EOC personnel will go home to their families tonight to ready their property and families for Hanna. Then tomorrow they will begin 24 hour operations. We will carry their Noon media conference tomorrow afternoon on News 2.

The City of Charleston just called a press conference at city hall. It starts at 3:30. I will let you know what Mayor Joe Riley has to say once it is over.

We are also told that Lowcountry mayors will meet tomorrow morning for a briefing and to discuss needs and concerns for their particular cities.

I spoke with Lowcountry Red Cross Executive Director Louise Welch. They have "relief kits" and cots ready for use if shelters are needed in the Lowcountry.

Check out our website. We have an excellent link for resources and phone numbers .

Charleston County also has a useful web section. You can even print your own Hurricane Guide from home.

Riley In Denver

A real quick addition before bed...




CNN had some great shots of Mayor Joe Riley at the Democratic Convention. The first was after Sen. Kennedy's speech. I was proud to see our mayor spotlighted after such an uplifting speech.

Then a few minutes later, Mayor Joe cut loose and did a little dancing. Who knew he had it in him? Dancing With The Stars after retirement?

Check out the video.

I'll keep my eyes open for more Mayor Riley appearances this week.