Hurricane Idalia
Sept. 1, 2023
Final Update
Before Hurricane Idalia ever made landfall in South Carolina, DHEC’s team of dedicated employees began to prepare for the storm’s anticipated impact.
Attack Threats
Bioterrorism:
Bioterrorism is the intentional release of any bacteria or viruses used to cause injury or illness to plants, animals, or people. These biological agents can be spread through water, air, or the food supply. The CDC has prepared a list of biological agents and their associated risks. For information about bioterrorism, see Bioterrorism Overview.
Protect Yourself - Animals & Insects
Animals
During and after a storm, most animals become disoriented and sometimes displaced. So wild animals, as well as stray domestic animals, can pose a danger. Keeping these tips in mind will help you if you or your family encounter a strange animal:
Making Your Emergency Survival Supply Kit
You should create a kit with emergency survival supplies that you may need during and after disasters such as hurricanes. Here are some of the items that your kit should include:
South Carolina Nuclear Power Plants
South Carolina Information and Evacuation Maps
U.S.
Common Exposures to Radiation
What are some of the most common exposures of/to radiation?
| Gastrointestinal series (upper & lower) Cigarette Smoking (average - several packs/day) CT Scan (head & body) Nuclear medicine examination of the brain Average annual background dose to humans Nuclear medicine examination of the thyroid Barium Enema Upper gastrointestinal tract series Radon in average household Dose to members of airline crews Nuclear medicine examination of the lung |
Hurricane Preparedness for Healthcare Facilities
It is important to prepare a health care facility located near the coast in the event of a hurricane, but all facilities need to develop some type of plan in the event of extended power outage, disruption in service or an increase in the number of residents. Developing a plan will help you to maintain key services during a disaster for your patients or residents. The resources provided below are links to state, federal and other resources that can assist in emergency planning for health care facilities.
Individuals with Functional Needs – How to Prepare for Emergency
For individuals with functional needs, planning in advance for an emergency is crucial to their well-being. Each person's needs are different and this requires an individualized plan that can anticipate and meet needs during an emergency. The individual or a caregiver is in a unique situation to plan for an emergency, since they know the person's functional abilities best and can best anticipate any needs that may arise.
ABCs of Hurricanes
A hurricane is the most severe category of "tropical cyclone" - a general term for all circulating weather systems over tropical waters. When the winds of a tropical cyclone reach a constant speed of 74 miles per hour or more and the storm has a well-defined counterclockwise circulation, it is called a hurricane.