Colleton County’s new evacuation zones in effect for 2024 hurricane season

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Residents across Colleton County began receiving postcards last week regarding new hurricane evacuation zones.

The county collected input from the community last year to improve how people leave the area when a hurricane threatens the coast, and to better understand public behaviors and perceptions of evacuation efforts.

Colleton County used two evacuation zones which leaders said posed an issue when neighboring counties underwent evacuation. A third was created to improve the leaving process.

Firefighters have installed signage and markers throughout the county indicating the three zones.

Zone A includes the Colleton County portion of Edisto Island and areas south of the Brickyard Bridge on Bennetts Point Road.

Zone B includes areas north of Zone A and south of the CSX Railroad including Wiggins, southern Jacksonboro, and southern Green Pond.

Zone C includes areas north of Zone B and south of Cottageville Highway/east of Interstate 95 (south of Sniders Highway).

You can view images of the zones and additional information from the county by clicking here.

County leaders say most of these areas are considered low-lying and prone to flooding during tropical systems.

Which zone is called to leave will be recommended by the county; however, the governor’s office would make the decision on which zones would need to evacuate depending on the severity of the storm.

Still, the state could choose to evacuate the coastal region in coordination with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division depending on the threat.

Hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs through November 30.