Allendale County prepares for Debby

ALLENDALE COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) – Allendale County partially activated the Emergency Operations Center as of 8 a.m. Monday morning.

Key personnel are managing urgent needs and resources.

“I’m getting food and I’m getting water, and also I’m trying to cover up my plants and things on my porch,” Allendale resident Vermelle Davis said.

She remembers a weather event a decade ago to make her act.

Allendale County is now at OpCon level two due to Debby. First responders are on standby, checking for downed trees, and medical needs.

“Some people that we know that live in bad places that have medical services to get in and out of. And those people keep us abreast,” Allendale Emergency Management Kara Troy shared.

Sandbags are also being provided to businesses. Leaders say the primary concern is rainfall rather than wind in low-lying areas, but no evacuation orders are in place.

“In order for evacuations to happen, those tropical storm force winds have to get super high and will put anybody in threat of where they are living and they’re dwelling and if the rain really hits those historical levels of at least 30 inches,” she added.

Allendale County Schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday to keep children safe at home. They’re distributing sandbags and securing loose items. E-learning is not an option.

“We’re only in our third day of school. All of our devices are not out yet for all of our students,” Superintendent Dr. Vallerie Cave said. “This teaches us a lesson to make sure we get them all out and due time.”

Convenience stores are making sure gas is available. NewsChannel 6 spoke with people shopping at local stores. Their reactions are mixed.

“I’m already prepared. Got a generator, got my Ritz crackers,” Barton resident William Johnson shared. “I think it’s gonna blow over. They say it may come in, but I doubt it, you know,” an Allendale resident added.

“I already got my water and everything ready to the house already. I got that a couple days ago ’cause I heard about this and so I already prepared for that,” Barnwell County resident said Joe Sanders.

Meanwhile, no shelters are open, but that can change. Keep in mind that local emergency services may be stretched thin with flood response. Only call 911 for emergencies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.