You got through Hurricane Matthew — now what? A post-storm survival guide
Where can folks go for answers? This post-hurricane survival guide provides a starting point.
EVACUATION
Gov.
There are no effective evacuation orders remaining, officials said.
GETTING HOME
Residents are asked to follow directions given by county and local governments when returning home. Folks who are returning to the coast should prepare for longer travel times and traffic congestion.
For real-time traffic information, visit 511sc.org. A list of road closures is available at scdot.org.
People should avoid downed power lines, and should treat all power lines as if they're live.
CLOTHING
CLEANING UP
Homeowners who would like to request volunteers from Helping Hands to assist with debris clean up and mold mitigation can call 1-800-451-1954.
WATER SAFETY
For information about boil water advisories, visit DHEC's website at scdhec.gov. If water is not safe to drink it should be boiled vigorously for at least one minute and then allowed to cool before use.
POWER AND GENERATORS
For questions regarding power, residents should contact their local power providers. Numbers for some of the state's largest electricity customers and some local electric cooperatives are here:
* SCE&G: 888-333-4465, online/text: https://www.sceg.com/outages-emergencies/power-outages/text-message-reporting
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* SC Electric Co-ops:
To get along without power, folks should have the following items: battery powered radio, flashlight for everyone in the family, battery-operated lantern, first aid kit, disposable plates and utensils, non-electric can opener, blankets, bottled water, non-perishable food, charged cell phone, list of emergency numbers.
Residents should not operate generators inside homes or garages, as that increases the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning.
SCAMS
To avoid being scammed during hurricane recovery operations, people should ask to see relief workers' IDs. Folks should also know that legitimate service providers will not ask for personal information such as social security numbers, the names of a people's banks or any other identifying information.
QUESTIONS TO ASK INSURANCE COMPANIES
When contacting their insurance companies, homeowners should ask if their policies cover hurricane, wind, water and mold damage. Residents should also ask if their policies cover the actual cost to repair or rebuild after a hurricane, and whether or not policies will cover the cost of living elsewhere while a home is uninhabitable.
In addition, homeowners should ask who is responsible for coverage if a neighbor's tree falls on the caller's house or vice versa.
To apply for
--
-- Private insurance information, if available
-- Address and ZIP code of the damaged property
-- An address where you can get mail
-- Directions to the damaged property
-- Daytime telephone number, and one where
-- Direct deposit information -- if you want disaster assistance funds sent directly to your bank
After you register, you will get a call from an inspector. The inspector, a private contractor who will wear an official
Contact local law enforcement if you have concerns with the legitimacy of a
DMV HELP
To help those who lost vehicle titles or registrations in the hurricane, the S.C. DMV is operating limited mobile units in
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These offices can provide credentials and duplicate titles or registrations if customers lost their originals in the storm. They can complete other transactions on a limited basis. These offices will not offer road tests.
SHELTERS
For those in need of emergency shelters, the
HOW TO HELP
The most effective way to donate is to the
Central Carolina Community Foundation-One SC,
Checks should be made payable to Central Carolina Community Foundation-One SC, according to the fund's website.
In addition, the
If people wish to donate food, the S.C. EMD recommends the four member organizations of the
Palmetto
For those interested in volunteering, officials have said the best starting places are local church and civic groups. Folks can also register at volunteersc.org where they will be matched with appropriate opportunities.
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(c)2016 The State (Columbia, S.C.)
Visit The State (Columbia, S.C.) at www.thestate.com
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