Richland County emergency personnel continue to monitor Tropical Storm Irma and its severe weather effects on the County. The County is currently experiencing normal call volumes. The following information is current as of 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11:
Weather
Tropical Storm Irma has moved into Southern Georgia and is producing deteriorating weather conditions across South Carolina. Winds have been gusting more than 40 miles per hour and will likely gust more than 50 miles per hour this afternoon and evening. Winds have caused trees to fall across Richland County producing power outages; crews are responding.
Conditions will steadily worsen into the evening hours. Richland County has received between one-third of an inch to just over one inch of rain. Three to four inches could fall before weather improves later tonight. From now through this evening, expect wind and rain. Weather will be much improved Tuesday, with some sunshine.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Richland County’s EOC is operating at OpCon Level 3. Essential personnel are staffing the EOC around the clock. OPCON levels range from 5 (day-to-day operations) to 1 (indicating a disaster situation is in effect). The OPCON 3 status indicates disaster or emergency situation likely or imminent.
Richland County Government Offices
Richland County Government Offices will open at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The County’s C&D Landfill and Lower Richland Drop-off Center will open at regular hours Tuesday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 8 a.m.-5 p.m., respectively. The County’s Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport will operate regular hours, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Solid Waste & Recycling
Trash and recycling collections will resume Tuesday, with all regularly scheduled collections for the week delayed by one day. The C&D Landfill and Lower Richland Drop-off Center will return to regular hours Tuesday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 8 a.m.-5 p.m., respectively.
Shelters
Dent Middle School, 2721 Decker Blvd., remains open as an American Red Cross shelter. Thirty-five adults and three children are housed at the shelter. The shelter may be transitioned to a new facility if schools districts decide to open for school Tuesday. Richland County's Emergency Animal Care Facility, located at 3216 Broad River Road, is open to shelter dogs and cats.
Debris and Power Outages
Debris and downed limbs have been reported, and crews have been notified. To report downed limbs or debris affecting public roadways in Richland County, call the non-emergency number at 803-576-3439 (the County cannot assist with debris on private property).
There are currently 6,620 power outages reported across the County. Residents and businesses should contact their respective utility providers to report power outages:
• SCE&G, 888-333-4465
• Fairfield Electric, 800-499-7862
• Tri-County Electric, 803-353-8746
• Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, 803-769-4444 or 888-813-7000
• Dominion Energy, 866-401-5248
News and Updates
Richland County continues to provide the latest flood relief information through updates to its website, www.rcgov.us, and on social media by following @RichlandSC on Twitter and Facebook.