Marlboro County Council declares state of emergency as storm approaches; offices to close, sandbags staged

Marlboro County Council on Aug. 4 adopted Declaration O810524, declaring a county state of emergency because an approaching hurricane threatens high winds and flooding across the county. Doctor Johnson read the declaration, citing South Carolina Code 4-9-130 and a state executive order issued 08/04/2024.

The declaration empowers county officials to use all available government resources, suspend portions of the county procurement ordinance for immediate needs and implement orders to evacuate or control ingress and egress in disaster areas. "A declaration of a state of emergency for Marlborough County due to the threat posed by Hurricane Derby," Doctor Johnson said while reading the document.

Why this matters: the declaration authorizes expedited purchases, temporary housing and evacuation planning countywide and makes preparation and response costs eligible for federal reimbursement when properly documented. Officials said the order covers all portions of Marlboro County and will remain in effect for the period stated in the declaration.

County and city officials reviewed several immediate operational steps. A county official said offices will close tomorrow at noon so staff can secure homes and families; those closures may extend into Wednesday and Thursday depending on conditions. Officials urged residents to sign up for local alerts: the City of Bennettsville’s text alert system can be reached by texting the word "Bennettsville" to 91896.

On logistics, staff confirmed sand piles and some bags staged at Carol Field for resident use; the county reported 143 sandbags currently on hand and said it expects about 4,500 sandbags to be available early tomorrow. A county official said residents should be prepared to bag sand themselves, though a limited number of pre-filled bags could be provided where needed.

Officials asked residents to monitor a real-time camera feed for water levels. An emergency official warned that rainfall—not wind—is the primary threat and said some parts of the county could see 10 to 15 inches of rain over Friday, with creek and river systems reacting quickly. The same official said wind gusts were forecast under 25 miles per hour and sustained winds under 18 miles per hour but emphasized saturated ground could mean trees fall with lighter winds.

On evacuation and sheltering, county leaders said they have coordinated with the school district to make school buses available for evacuations and to support sheltering. The county noted that a formal emergency declaration makes preparation and response expenses potentially eligible for FEMA reimbursement if receipts and documentation are maintained.

The council moved and seconded the declaration and the chair called for the vote; the motion was approved in the meeting. The council adjourned after brief closing remarks and safety reminders.

Next steps: officials said they will publish weekly written updates after the event, work with state delegation members on dam and lake issues and continue intergovernmental coordination as the storm moves through the region.