As of August 8, Tropical Storm Debby has made its second landfall just northeast of Charleston, South Carolina. The storm is projected to continue its movement up towards the Northeastern states over the next few days. Currently, it is producing significant rainfall across North Carolina and portions of Virginia.
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As of August 8, Tropical Storm Debby has made its second landfall just northeast of Charleston, South Carolina. The storm is projected to continue its movement up towards the Northeastern states over the next few days. Currently, it is producing significant rainfall across North Carolina and portions of Virginia.
Emergency Declarations
On August 7, HHS Secretary Becerra declared Public Health Emergencies (PHEs) for Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. This offers flexibility to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), healthcare providers, and suppliers when meeting emergency health needs.
Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia all seemed to have restored power to most of the affected customers.
Impacts to Health Care
Evacuations
North Carolina
As of August 8, there are no mandatory evacuation orders for North Carolina counties. The only counties with voluntary evacuation orders are Bladen, Brunswick, Moore, and Scotland counties.
South Carolina
On August 6, Colleton County, South Carolina officials released a statement urging residents to evacuate due to the risk of the McGrady dam failing.
Lake City High School, Williamsburg Recovery Center, Berkeley High School, Palmetto Middle School, Sheriff’s Admin Facility (North Charleston), Orangeburg New City Gym, A.C. Tollison Gym, Dunston Elementary School, Saffold Building, South Florence Freshman Advantage Academy
North Carolina
As of August 7, the following shelters are open in Cumberland County:
Mac Williams Middle School, Pine Forest High School, Smith Recreation Center, South View High School, Westover Recreation Center
As of August 8, MUSC health clinics in the Charleston and Okatie area have returned to normal operations.
All regional health locations outside of the Charleston and Okatie area have returned to normal operations – besides MUSC Health Primary Care-Bamberg which is offering virtual appointments for the rest of the week.
As of August 8, all VA Charleston health care facilities are open. Myrtle Beach VA Clinic, North Charleston VA Clinic, and Trident VA Clinic are open with limited services and hours.
Based on the HHS emPOWER Map (which displays the total number of at-risk electricity-dependent Medicare beneficiaries):
North Carolina has over 2.1 million Medicare beneficiaries with 106,481 being at-risk beneficiaries.
Virginia has over 1.6 million Medicare beneficiaries with 75,000 being at-risk beneficiaries.
At-risk beneficiaries are people that rely on certain essential health care services and electricity-dependent durable medical equipment, so it’ll be important to monitor the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby.
Impacts to Supply Chain and Logistics
Seaports
North Carolina
As of August 8, the North Gate at the Port of Wilmington is currently closed due to flooding. The South Gate is operating on a normal schedule and trucks are able to use that entrance.
As of August 8, the Port of Morehead City is open and operating on a normal schedule.
As of August 7, Georgia Ports is back to normal operations and normal gate hours for trucking partners starting August 8.
South Carolina
On August 8, the South Carolina Ports delayed gate openings in Charleston and Dillon.
Transit
As of August 7, some transit agencies in impacted regions of Florida have limited service. Check with your local transit agency for specifics.
Road Closures
As of August 7, there are multiple road closures due to flooding across Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lexington, Marlboro, Orangeburg, and Richland counties in South Carolina. Updates on road conditions in South Carolina can be found here.
As of August 7, there are multiple road closures due to flooding in Florida. Updates on road conditions in Florida can be found here.
As of August 7, there are multiple road closures due to flooding in Georgia. Updates on road conditions can be found here.
Transportation Waivers
As of August 7, the Virginia Department of Transportation authorized a temporary waiver of licensing requirements for carrier and the Commissioner of Highways authorized a temporary waiver of normal weight and width restrictions.
As of August 3, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) authorized emergency response vehicles to bypass all FDOT weigh station facilities through August 16 to expedite emergency response.
On August 2, FDOT issued a letter to suspend the size and weight restrictions for divisible loads on any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies, personnel, or FEMA mobile homes.
Businesses must apply for re-entry certification here.
Local public safety officials can still deny individuals to an area deemed unsafe. The South Carolina business re-entry certification does not supersede county and local re-entry programs.
About Healthcare Ready
Healthcare Ready is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to ensure patient access to healthcare in times of disaster, emergency, and disease outbreaks. We leverage unique relationships with government, nonprofit and medical supply chains to build and enhance the resiliency of communities before, during and after disasters. Learn more about Healthcare Ready
Healthcare Ready leverages unique relationships with government, nonprofit and medical supply chains to build and enhance the resiliency of communities before, during and after disasters.
Healthcare Ready is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C)(3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Healthcare Ready's Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 46-3134601.
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