Press Release from the City of Charleston
Tropical Storm Idalia recovery efforts began at daybreak, as city crews fanned out across the city to complete initial damage assessments and clean-up.
The city shifted to OPCON 3 this morning, indicating a return to normal city operations, and the MEOC remains staffed with Emergency Management, Police, Fire and other essential personnel managing the city's recovery efforts.
City offices and facilities are expected to return to normal operations tomorrow.
As a reminder, cars parked for free in city of Charleston or Charleston County parking garages during the storm must be removed by 6 p.m.
Due to the Bees Ferry Landfill closure, today's residential and commercial garbage and trash collection will be completed tomorrow, Friday, September 1. Crews are prepared to continue working Saturday to complete collection, if needed.
Parks crews are all hands on deck checking on waterfront parks and facilities that experienced flooding during last night's historic high tide. Crews will continue working throughout the day to clear debris from city parks, roadways and public spaces.
The city's Building Inspections and Stormwater teams began their formal damage assessment processes this morning and will continue working to identify storm-related damage in the coming days. Citizens are reminded to report any storm-related damage online at www.charleston-sc.gov/report-damage.
Public Service Department crews deployed knuckle-boom trucks at 8 a.m. today to help with debris pick-up and damage assessments throughout the city. Additionally, street-sweeping crews were deployed at 7 a.m. to begin clean-up in areas that experienced heavy flooding.
As of 12 pm, Urban Forestry had received five reports of downed trees or limbs, and crews were working to address any remaining issues.
When placing debris at the curb for collection, citizens should sort based on the following (C.H.A.T.) categories:
C – Construction debris (building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, etc.)
H – Hazardous waste (oils, batteries, pesticides, paints, cleaning supplies, etc.)
A – Appliances (Refrigerators, washers/dryers, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, etc.)
T – Trees and vegetation (tree branches, leaves and logs)
The Police Department worked overnight to close flooded roadways throughout the city. As of 12 p.m., no roads were closed due to flooding. Citizens can view active road closures in real time here: https://gis.charleston-sc.gov/road-closures-regional/map/.
The Fire Department successfully executed 22 fire rescues during the storm.
The Citizen Services Desk answered 122 storm-related calls during the event and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow for normal business hours.
