COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County's Emergency Services Department is preparing to activate their Emergency Operations Center and putting extra crews on the ground ahead of storms and wind associated with Hurricane Helene.
With meteorologists predicting wind gusts of over 50 miles an hour, the county is urging residents to be prepared for everything from power outages to tornadoes, says Captain Winta Adams with the EMD.
"Making sure that their cell phones are charged up," said Adams "If anyone has generators--that they do not keep them in confined spaces. We do not want anybody getting sick."
She says resources can be spread thin during emergencies so being prepared is important. She says to keep extra water and food and have an evacuation plan.
"We’re making sure that as far as our emergency medical services goes, we’re putting extra ambulances on the road, making sure those are fueled up," said Adams.
She said power outages are to be expected with the winds levels we're predicted to see, and people should monitor their phones for tornado watches.
At Dominion Energy, extra crews are heading out today to prepare for those outages, says spokesperson Matt Long.
"This is an all hands on deck situation," said Long. "We have critical equipment staged throughout our service territory, especially paying attention to those areas that are going to be remote, more rural areas."
He says the number one cause of outages is downed trees—and crews are preparing for that year round.
"Trimming back that vegetation, cutting down some trees that are growing too close into the lines, to make sure that it reduces the risk of that happening when the storm does arrive," added Long.