Berkeley County Hurricane Operational Conditions (OPCONs) Pre-Storm OPCON-5 (monitor tropical activity) This Operating Condition Level (OPCON) indicates hurricane season is open. Hurricane season runs from 1 June through 30 November. Operational activities in this phase are designed to develop a strong county government emergency response capability, establishing effective systems for warning, direction and control, dissemination of emergency public information, shelter planning and organizing all levels of government in the county to ensure full utilization of all available resources. Review hurricane plan with all personnel, including home plans. Special equipment and supplies should be inventoried. Points of contact and telephone numbers should be updated and verified. Safe storage for records should be determined. Storms will be tracked and monitored at this level. Threat OPCON-4 (plus or minus 72 hours before landfall) Once a storm poses a possible threat to South Carolina, Berkeley County will announce a move to OPCON-4. At this time, all personnel should be notified of the potential threat. Agencies and departments will determine personnel availability and assignments. Initiate increased preparedness activities. The Berkeley County EOC will be under "Partial Activation", primarily staffed by emergency management personnel. All Pre-Hurricane Action Check Lists should be completed and deficiencies corrected. Standby OPCON-3 (typically 36-48 hours before landfall) Once a storm poses a significant threat to this area, Disaster Preparedness will announce a move to OPCON-3. The EOC will be under a "Limited Activation", staffed by emergency management personnel and key agencies. The EOC will be engaged in evacuation discussions (including voluntary relocations and mandatory evacuation), with other area counties and the state. Evacuation might be ordered in the next 24 hours. Other preparatory activities, and pre-evacuation conferences will be held. All personnel should be advised to be prepared at home and of the possibility of immediate recall to duty. Elected officials, municipalities, agencies and department heads should be prepared to attend briefings at the EOC. A complete re-check of all Pre-Hurricane Actions should be conducted. Correct any deficiencies. Full-Alert OPCON-2 (typically 24-36 hours before landfall) Once there are strong indications that either a voluntary relocation or mandatory evacuation order may be issued by the Governor, OPCON-2 will be announced. The EOC will be under "Full Activation". Preparations will be made to open shelters on short notice. A Hurricane "Watch" may be set during this time. All records and files should be secured. Be prepared to respond, quickly, to last minute issues. Weather conditions will deteriorate before actual landfall. The EOC will develop and announce a timetable for hazardous wind arrival for the county, typically 40mph sustained. All preparation must be complete before the arrival of hazardous wind conditions. EOC briefings will be held, as necessary. The actual time spent in OPCON-2 may be short. Typically, once an evacuation is announced, the EOC will shift to OPCON-1. Evacuation OPCON-1 (plus or minus 24 hours before landfall) A Hurricane "Warning" will likely be set during this time. During the Evacuation Phase (which is part of and a continuation of the Full-Alert Phase OPCON-2) operational activities will be directed toward protecting life and property and administering to the health and welfare of the population, through evacuation of threatened areas and the sheltering of evacuees. The EOC will remain at OPCON-1 through landfall and the immediate response phase. Complete any remaining preparations prior to hazardous wind arrival.