The City of Darlington offices will be closed Thursday, September 5, due to Hurricane Dorian. 

Thursday's scheduled residential garbage and yard debris pickup will be on Friday. Pickup for Friday's recycling, garbage, and yard debris routes will be on Saturday. 

City staff have been preparing for Hurricane Dorian all week, fueling vehicles, checking equipment and generators, and stocking up on supplies. Extra crews collected yard debris ahead of the impending weather system. The Darlington Police Department checked on elderly residents. Crews cleared storm drains, and technicians went through the water and sewer lift stations and pump stations to prepare as well.

Citizens are advised to stay off the roads during the storm and its aftermath to allow first responders and clean-up crews to evaluate the roads for safety. Do NOT venture out if you don't have to do so.

Weather permitting, City offices will open for business as usual on Friday, Sept. 6. A determination on that will be made by 3 o’clock tomorrow.

Thanks and stay safe!

City Storm Information Page

Find the latest information at the National Hurricane Center.

Who Do I Call During & After the Storm?

• For water and sewer issues, call the after-hours number at 843-758-1127.
• For streets blocked by trees, report to 911.
• For downed power lines or outages, call 1-800-769-3766 for Duke Energy customers, or call 1-800-693-0190 for Pee Dee Electric customers.
• For issues with natural gas lines, call 1-888-333-4465.
• For all other emergencies (medical, fire, and police), please call 911.
• Beginning at 4 a.m., Darlington County will have a public information line established for County residents to call with questions or to report damages. The telephone number is (843) 398-4469.
• Any reports of injuries or structural damages should be reported to 911.

Sanitation Information

• Thursday's scheduled residential garbage and yard debris pickup will be on Friday. Pickup for Friday's recycling, garbage, and yard debris routes will be on Saturday.
• Commercial garbage pickup will continue late on Thursday.
• Debris collection will be prioritized to clear roads and bridges before returning to regular routes based on damage assessments following the storm.

Closings, Schedule Changes, and Cancellations

• Williamson Park will be closed at sunset Wednesday and will remain closed until further notice.
• City of Darlington offices will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 5.
• All Darlington County offices will be closed on Thursday, September 5, due to Hurricane Dorian. This will include all non-emergency response departments, county recycling centers, as well as parks and recreation activities. All emergency response departments will operate as normal with additional staffing available as needed.
• All Darlington County School District schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 5, due to inclement weather. All after-school and evening activities for Thursday are also canceled.
• All Recreation activities have been cancelled for Thursday and Friday. The determination about Saturday’s football jamboree will be made by Friday morning.

How Do I Prepare?

Prepare your yard for the impending storm.

• Tie down, secure, or store indoors any items around your patio, yard, or porch, such as patio furniture, grills, flags, garbage cans, hanging baskets, lawn equipment, tools, lawn decorations, bicycles, and other items.
• Empty and secure other items that could fill with standing water to reduce the breeding grounds available for mosquitoes.
• Trim low hanging or broken limbs.
• Check and secure rain gutters and downspouts. Clear any debris to reduce the risk of water damage to your home.

Stock up on essentials. CASH is essential, as electronic payments such as debit cards and credit cards may not be available. Nonperishable food, water (1 gallon per person for 3 days), two-week supply of medications, pet supplies, fuel, tools, first aid kit, batteries, flashlights, trash bags, disposable utensils, mosquito spray, and more. Find more information at Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.

Get pets ready. Make sure your pet’s tags have your current contact information should they get separated from you during the storm. Consider bringing animals indoors during the storm. Inspect and repair fencing and kennels to contain your animals.

Plan to stay put. During the height of the storm, emergency responders may not be able to reach you. Stay inside until the storm clears.

S.C. Emergency Management Division: http://www.scemd.org/planandprepare/disasters/hurricanes

Hour-by-Hour Plans: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

More tips from the National Fire Protection Association: http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/safety-in-the-home/emergency-preparedness/natural-disasters/hurricanes

After the Storm

• Stay put until all clear to allow emergency vehicles full access and works crews time to open blocked streets and remove downed power lines.
• Beware of debris from broken glass, construction materials, and trees.
• Stay out of standing water. Electric lines and other debris could be hidden beneath the surface.
• Do not use generators indoors or outside near windows, vents, or air intakes. Keep a full fire extinguisher nearby.
• Report downed lines or gas leaks.
• Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage, including boarding windows or covering roof damage with tarps.
• Document damages with photos or video and keep a list of damaged or lost items.
• Report any losses to insurance companies as soon as possible.

Shelters

The American Red Cross shelter information can be found by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

If you have time to pack, remember to bring these items with you.

• Bedding
• Clothing
• Medications
• Your child’s stuffed animal,
• Blanket or other “lovey”
• Your emergency kit
• Any special dietary needs

In these Red Cross shelters, please do not bring pets, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or weapons.

Where Can I Learn More?

Updates and information will be sent to radio, newspaper, and TV media partners in the area as well as posted on the City website, www.DarlingtonSConline.com, and on the City Facebook page.