Dorchester County continues to closely monitor Tropical Storm Debby which is expected to impact South Carolina later this week.
Residents are reminded to have a family plan in place, build or restock emergency preparedness kits, and to bring pets indoors.
Flood Safety Tips:
Avoid Floodwaters: Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Turn Around, Don’t Drown: Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic away from flooded areas.
After Flooding: Avoid floodwaters as they may be contaminated. Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not return to your home until authorities indicate it is safe.
Sandbag Distribution
In preparation for impacts from the incoming storm, sandbag locations will open Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Please note that there is a limit of ten sandbags per resident or business owner, and it is first-come, first-served.
Please bring a shovel as sites are a Fill It Yourself model with the county providing sand and bags.
- Sandy Pines Convenience Site, 374 Sandy Pines Ln., Dorchester, SC 29437
- Old Bi-lo Parking Lot/New Dorchester County Health and Human Services Campus, (By Summerville High School) 1452 Boone Hill Rd., Summerville, SC 29483
Tips on how to properly fill and stack your sandbags:
- Fill bags one-half of the way full.
- Over-filled bags will result in a leaky sandbag wall.
- Stack sandbags so that the seams between the bags are staggered.
- Tuck the top of each bag under to ensure that each bag is sealed by its own weight
Dorchester County Call Center
As part of our ongoing commitment to your safety and well-being, we are opening the Dorchester County Call Center on Sunday, August 4 from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. This call center has been established to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information regarding the current situation related to Tropical Storm Debby.
Please continue to call 9-1-1 for any emergency.
Call Center Details:
Date: Sunday, August 4
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
*Call Center will re-open Monday at 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. We will continue to share updates regarding extending Call Center hours for the remainder of the week.
Contact Number: (843) 832-0393
Our trained operators are available to answer your inquiries, provide storm updates, share safety guidelines, and address any concerns you might have.
Stay Informed
Information changes so it is important to stay updated so you know what to expect and when to expect it. Make sure to have several ways to receive information.
- Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service.
- Follow Dorchester County on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
- Get the latest from Dorchester County Emergency Management.
Visit DorchesterCountySC.gov for more general government storm-related information.