Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Emergency Response Team continues to remain fully staffed and dedicated to respond to what is now Tropical Depression Florence. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is fully operational, staffed by emergency personnel form multiple state agencies and emergency organizations. The SEOC will be operational 24 hours a day until further notice.

Residents should consider the following safety measures:

• Residents who have experienced damage can assist state and local agencies in the statewide damage assessment process.
• Use the damage assessment tool in the SC Emergency Manager mobile application to send a report to the S.C. Emergency Management Division.
• People should avoid flooded roads and never move or drive around barricades.
• Flood waters and standing waters pose various risks, including injury, infectious diseases, chemical hazards and should be avoided.
• In a power outage, frozen food and refrigerated foods can be contaminated with bacteria once the temperature of food gets above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For more information about water and food safety visit: SCDHEC Water and Food Safety.

As of noon, Monday, the Response Team has reported:

• Rivers are still rising and will continue to rise for a majority of the week.
• Big Pee Dee, Little Pee Dee and Waccamaw rivers are expected to peak sometime this week.
• There are approximately 13,800 power outages around the state, including, 3,300 in Dillon.
• Sandbagging operations are still being performed, including on US 501.
• There are 10 shelters open, including eight shelters for people with special medical needs.
• There is also one kitchen open in Florence and one opening in Conway.
• The Department of Health and Environmental Control monitoring dams, water treatment and wastewater treatment plants.
• 500 rescuers are on standby and prepared to assist people as needed.
• The Public Information Phone System has answered over 11,000 calls, many calls today concern issue around road conditions and re-entry routes.
• Anyone interested in volunteering can go to Volunteer SC to register.

Residents should continue to monitor local media and official, verified social media accounts from public safety agencies for the latest information on the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s website at SCEMD.