Effingham County Hurricane Preparedness & Response SOP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD 3
DEFINITIONS 3
USEFUL LINKS 3
I. BASIC PLAN 4
A) Introduction 4
B) Purpose 4
C) Scope 4
D) Coordination of Resources 5
II. ACTION PHASES 5
A) Preparedness Phase – Normal Operating Conditions (former OPCON 5) 5
B) Monitoring Phase – Potential Threat Sighted (former OPCON 4) 5
C) Watch & Warning Phase – Take Action to Save Life & Property (former OPCONS 2 & 3) 5
D) Evacuation Phase – Initiate Evacuation of County (former OPCONS 1 & 2) 5
E) Re-Entry Phase – Begin Re-admittance Process 6
III. COMMUNICATIONS AND WARNING 6
A) Responsibility 6
B) Mitigation/Preparedness 6
C) Response/Recovery 7
V. PUBLIC INFORMATION 8
A) Responsibility 8
B) Mitigation/Preparedness 8
C) Response/Recovery 9
IV. EVACUATION 10
A) Responsibility 10
B) Mitigation/Preparedness 10
C) Response/Recovery 10
VI. MASS CARE AND SHELTER SERVICES 12
A) Responsibility 12
B) Mitigation/Preparedness 12
C) Response/Recovery 12
VII. RE-ENTRY PHASES 12
A) Phase I – State and Local Authorized Re-Entry 12
B) Phase II – Public Re-Entry 13
C) Phase III – Normal Operations 13
D) Re-Entry Requirements 13
VIII. CLEAN-UP AND RECOVERY 13
A) Responsibility 13
B) Damage Assessment 14
C) Clean-Up 14
Appendix A: Hurricane Action Phase Charts 16
Appendix B: Hurricane Intensity Scale 17
Appendix C: Effingham County Shelters 43
Appendix D: Primary Evacuation Routes and Shelters (Atlantic Coast)……………………………….434
2008 Edition Page 1
Effingham County Hurricane Preparedness & Response SOP
FOREWORD
The Effingham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) is committed to reducing the vulnerability of our county to hurricanes. This Hurricane Preparedness & Response Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed to ensure a well-coordinated and effective response to hurricane strikes that may require the use of evacuation and re-entry procedures. It has been updated with the help of the 2003 Georgia Hurricane Planning Guide.
A printed copy of this SOP will be distributed to all departments and agencies with primary response roles. To obtain additional copies or to submit comments or corrections, please contact the CEMA office.
DEFINITIONS
Hurricane (also known as typhoon or tropical cyclone): A tropical storm with wind speeds of at least 74 mph (64 knots). Such systems can be thousands of square kilometers in size and usually have a lifespan of several days. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, but the majority of storms occur in August, September and October.
Hurricane Watch: This is issued for a specified coastal area for which a hurricane or a hurricane-related hazard is a possible threat within 36 hours.
Hurricane Warning: This is issued when a hurricane with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher is expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. Actions to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though the winds may have subsided below hurricane intensity.
Saffir-Simpson Scale: A rating scale of 1-5 based on a hurricane's intensity. This scale is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall.
Storm Surge: A dome of water that is built up by a hurricane’s winds and pushed onto shore just before the eye of a hurricane. It can be as wide as 50 miles and as high as 25 feet.
USEFUL LINKS
American Red Cross http://www.redcross.net
Effingham County http://www.effinghamcounty.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov
Georgia Emergency Management Agency http://www.gema.state.ga.us
National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
National Weather Service http://www.nws.noaa.gov
2008 Edition Page 1
Effingham County Hurricane Preparedness & Response SOP
I. BASIC PLAN
A) Introduction
Hurricanes pose a specific threat to Effingham County. As a secondary coastal county, we are at lesser risk than inland counties for bearing the impact of Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes, especially the collateral effects of high winds, storm surge and major flooding.
Effingham County enjoys continued growth in population and tourism; however, this growth also poses a challenge for emergency response agencies. Public awareness efforts are continually on-going to educate and motivate people to prepare for the threat of hurricanes.
The Effingham County Hurricane Preparedness & Response SOP addresses the unique actions required to deal with a hurricane threat or actual incident. Evacuation and sheltering of the County’s population requires a large degree of coordination between local, state and federal agencies prior to the storm’s landfall. Predicting the exact path and strength of a hurricane is difficult; therefore, actions may be taken for an event but not a disaster.
B) Purpose
Specifically, the objectives of this plan are to:
· Mitigate the effects of tropical storms through planning and preparedness.
· Alert local officials and the general public in a timely, efficient manner.
· Protect and save lives.
· Coordinate response activities of local officials.
· Provide for orderly evacuation of threatened areas.
· Prevent or minimize damage to property.
· Coordinate activities with coastal county officials and others involved in hurricane response.
· Coordinate the return of evacuees to their homes.
· Provide for the rapid recovery of the stricken area.
C) Scope
This SOP is intended to provide guidelines for preparedness, response, and recovery activities relative to a hurricane emergency (potential or actual) in County. It is designed for use by local government departments as well as for public and private agencies that support the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) of the Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP).
This document, developed under the guidance of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), supports the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan (GEOP) and the Georgia Hurricane Planning Guide (GHPG).
D) Coordination of Resources
City and County governments will utilize all available resources to meet the existing emergency. The County Commission Chairman and Mayors of the Cities of Rincon, Springfield and Guyton have the authority to solicit equipment or manpower within the scope of affected local governmental jurisdictions to meet such emergencies. Written mutual aid agreements are established throughout the County to ensure the availability of resources. If local resources are determined to be inadequate, state and/or federal agency assistance may be requested.
II. ACTION PHASES
Preparedness and response activities will be framed within five Hurricane Action Phases. The Preparedness Phase is the beginning of hurricane season (June 1) and the subsequent phases are based on an increased threat due to the actual landfall of a storm. The actions of government departments and other agencies are included in Appendix A of this SOP.
A) Preparedness Phase – Normal Operating Conditions (former OPCON 5)
The Preparedness phase involves activities carried out in advance of a hurricane. These activities develop operational capabilities and improve effective response to tropical events. Severe weather plans are updated and exercised, resource inventories are maintained (personnel, vehicles, equipment, supplies), and planning activities are carried out. This phase automatically goes into effect during hurricane season (June 1 through November 30).
B) Monitoring Phase – Potential Threat Sighted (former OPCON 4)
When a tropical threat has been sighted, local officials take immediate action to increase readiness. This phase begins 72 to 48 hours ahead of potential landfall. The EMA advises staff of the situation, monitors the progress of the threat, and assesses vulnerability and decision times. Departments/agencies review plans, alert key personnel, and maintain communication with the EMA.
C) Watch & Warning Phase – Take Action to Save Life & Property (former OPCONS 2 & 3)
This phase corresponds with the issuance of a hurricane “watch” (and “warning”) by the National Weather Service, about 48 to 24 hours ahead of potential landfall. The EMA may activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate resources of public and private organizations. Local and state agencies work together to make decisions regarding evacuation timing and routing, the positioning of resources, and the release of emergency instructions to the public.
D) Evacuation Phase – Initiate Evacuation of County (former OPCONS 1 & 2)
When the decision has been made by local and state authorities to evacuate, the Evacuation Phase goes into effect. Warning systems are activated, resources are mobilized, and the media provides the public with evacuation route and shelter information. This phase must conclude before the arrival of tropical storm force winds.
E) Re-Entry Phase – Begin Re-admittance Process
This phase begins immediately following the termination of a regional evacuation. Public information concerning re-entry will be disseminated immediately. Re-entry will begin in accordance with the Georgia Re-Entry Protocols.
Table: Hurricane Action Phases
Phase / Definition / Former OPCON / Sequence of EventsPreparedness Phase / Normal conditions / 5 / June 1 – November 30
(Hurricane Season)
Monitoring Phase / Potential threat sighted / 4 / More than 48-72 hours before potential landfall
Watch & Warning Phase / Take action to save life & property / 2 & 3 / 24-48 hours before potential landfall
Evacuation Phase / Initiate evacuation of affected region / 1 & 2 / 12-24 hours before potential landfall
Re-entry Phase / Confer with EMA to develop a re-entry plan / n/a / Re-entry time contingent upon extent of damages
III. COMMUNICATIONS AND WARNING
A) Responsibility
In accordance with ESF 2 of the LEOP, Communications and Warning are the primary responsibility of the 911 Telecommunications Center. The Rincon Police, Springfield Police and the Sheriff’s Department will provide secondary support to this function.
B) Mitigation/Preparedness
The 911 Center and EMA will ensure that primary and alternate communication and warning systems are operational at all times.
C) Response/Recovery
The 911 Center is responsible for the receipt and relay of warning messages. Messages are recorded and the information is relayed to appropriate individuals by radio or telephone.
Tropical cyclone information is received via National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, GEMA fax, and/or GEMA State Radio Network (45.56 MHz).
Ø The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Coral Gables, FL, gathers and interprets information about Atlantic tropical weather disturbances from many different sources. If a disturbance intensifies to tropical storm strength and appears to be headed toward land, the NHC will begin to issue public and marine advisories. Occasional bulletins may also be issued to further amplify routine information provided by the advisories. As the storm reaches hurricane strength and is headed toward the U.S. coastline, a hurricane watch may be issued from the NHC. Once the area of hurricane landfall is more positively identified and the storm is expected to come ashore in 24 hours or less, a hurricane warning is issued. Areas of the coast for which such a warning has been issued may expect dangerous hurricane winds or storm surge to strike. As the storm comes very close to shore, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Jacksonville, Florida may issue local storm statements designed to provide specific information about the anticipated effects of the storm for Camden and surrounding counties.
Ø A hurricane’s strength, or intensity, is ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, a system known as the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Categories are determined by barometric pressure (in inches) in the center of the hurricane, wind speed, storm surge, and extent of damage. See scale in Appendix B.
Inter-Agency Warning
When activated by local government officials, emergency alert notification will be carried out via radio communication according to the LEOP. If necessary, commercial telephone will be used to augment radio alerts as instructed by the EMA Director. An alert roster will be maintained by the EMA office.
· Official messages are re-broadcast over the Sheriff’s frequency, the Rincon Police frequency, Sprinfield Police frequency and the Fire Rescue frequency. Emergency Management Agency (EMA) can also communicate on these frequencies.
· County departments communicate via the County Public Works radio network (153.875 MHz). All departments are equipped with radios including the EMA. Mobile radio units as well as walkie-talkies facilitate the basic system.
· Georgia Forestry Commission has a radio unit on the County network.
· The Board of Education, which maintains a separate network, can be reached by the EMA.
· City Public Works departments maintain communication via a City Public Works radio network.
· Intergovernmental communication between City and County departments is achieved through City & County police networks and City & County fire department networks.
· Communication with inland County EMA offices is achieved through the EMA radio network or by telephone.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (Ham Operators) in Effingham County will support emergency operations. A representative will be present in the EOC to serve as a liaison between the ARES network and intergovernmental networks. In the event of a power outage, ARES becomes the primary means of communication.
Interagency communication will continue to operate via normal radio channels until the Watch & Warning Phase takes effect. At that point, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be fully manned with representatives of each response group. The EOC will become the central communication base for all groups as set forth in the local EOP.
Public Warning
Groups in the County requiring special notification of impending danger are listed below:
Ø Retirement / nursing homes
In the critical phases of evacuation, the EMA Director may dispatch mobile communication units from the Sheriff’s Office and City Police Depts. to use loudspeakers to encourage evacuation. It is recommended that door-to-door warnings be carried out by uniformed personnel to lend credence to the warning.
V. PUBLIC INFORMATION
A) Responsibility
The Public Information Officer (PIO) develops, prepares and coordinates distribution of news releases, public information, publications and interviews regarding relevant emergency management issues to enhance public awareness and understanding.
The EMA Director will designate a PIO to act as chief spokesperson.
B) Mitigation/Preparedness
Disaster awareness activities will occur year-round and include newspaper articles, radio public service announcements (PSA’s), and group presentations.