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Georgetown County emergency manager urges residents to 'have a plan' ahead of hurricane season
Summary
Lauren Wallace, Georgetown County’s new emergency manager, urged residents to prepare for hurricane season, citing a Colorado State University outlook and offering concrete steps—know your evacuation zone, build a kit, plan for pets and identify trusted information sources including the South Carolina Emergency Management Division app.
Lauren Wallace, Georgetown County’s new emergency manager, said residents should "have a plan" and know their evacuation zone as the county approaches the 2026 hurricane season.
Wallace, introduced on the county’s First Friday podcast, cited Colorado State University’s 2026 forecast: "right around 13 name storms" with "six hurricanes" and "two of those are forecast to be major hurricanes," and noted an expected El Niño that could affect overall storm counts. She emphasized that "it only takes one" storm to cause severe local impacts.
Why it matters: Wallace said that updated evacuation zones (A, B and C) reflected a 2024 statewide evacuation study and that residents should verify their zone on the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website or the county emergency management page. She warned that shelters provide basic accommodations and that, when possible, residents should arrange alternative plans ahead of any evacuation order.
Practical steps from county guidance include assembling a grab-and-go kit with waterproof copies of vital documents (bank records, birth certificates, insurance), a minimum three-day supply of food and water for household members and pets, battery-powered lighting and portable chargers, and basic first-aid and protective gear for cleanup. Wallace recommended a NOAA weather alert radio and cautioned about relying on unverified social media sources for emergency information.
Wallace also highlighted community outreach: county emergency staff will offer preparedness talks for faith-based organizations, nonprofits and homeowners associations and encouraged groups to request presentations.
The county pointed listeners to digital resources, including the South Carolina Emergency Management Division app, for shelter locations and to type an address to confirm evacuation status. Wallace reiterated that residents do not need to wait for official evacuation orders to relocate if they feel unsafe.
The First Friday episode closed with Wallace inviting community groups to request outreach visits; no formal county action or vote was recorded during the segment.
