WHEREAS, the National Hurricane Center advises that Hurricane Charley will strike the coast of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the force of Hurricane Charley represents an imminent threat to the safety, security and welfare of the residents and visitors of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a State of Emergency has been declared in South Carolina pursuant to Executive Order 2004-18 and the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan was placed into effect in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors located in the threatened areas where the effect of Hurricane Charley could be experienced; and

WHEREAS, I am authorized pursuant to Section 25-1-440 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended, as the elected Chief Executive of the State "to direct and compel evacuation of all or part of the populace from any stricken or threatened area if this action is deemed necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response, or recovery"; and

WHEREAS, I have determined that evacuation is necessary for the preservation of life in and surrounding the threatened area.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me as Governor pursuant to the Constitution and Laws of South Carolina, I do hereby order a mandatory evacuation of all persons located on barrier islands and on beachfront property in Georgetown and Horry counties. Persons in inland counties near the projected path of Hurricane Charley should take all precautions to ensure their protection from potential high winds and inland flooding. This evacuation order is effective 6:00 PM, August 13, 2004. All persons are ordered to evacuate the area as expeditiously as possible.

Area specific details for the mandatory evacuation follow:

1. Georgetown County: All residents and tourists east of US 17 and US 17 Bypass in the northern portion of the county.

2. Horry County: All residents and tourists east of Business US 17 in the southern Grand Strand and east of US 17 in the northern Grand Strand area.

The scope of this order may be expanded to include such areas inland as are identified on a county-by-county basis by local emergency management officials for people who are deemed to be in immediate danger. However, hospital administrators may elect to shelter in place essential personnel and patients who cannot be moved pursuant to the approved evacuation plan for each facility, after consultation with emergency management personnel, and appropriate health care professionals.

Furthermore, county administrators, after consultation with emergency management personnel, may elect to shelter in place essential emergency response personnel who, by the nature of their duties, must remain and perform such duties before and immediately after landfall.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 13th DAY OF AUGUST, 2004.

MARK SANFORD
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:15 A.M.