Since May 2007

PRESORT STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
CHARLESTON SC
PERMIT NO 437
POSTAL PATRON

Volume 8 Issue 4

June 06, 2014

FREE

The Hunt Begins

JICS students Justin and Keillor celebrate wining the fishing contest with Ice Cream Boat Caf owner and local ice cream philanthropist Todd Gerhart.

PHOTO BY RALPH SECOY

The Sea Islands Sweet Tooth Fairy

TODD GERHART SPURS ON LOCAL CHILDREN TO SUCCESS WITH ICE CREAM
BY RALPH SECOY AND JENNIFER TUOHY
For The Island Connection

aturday, May 14, Todd Gerhart, owner of The Ice Cream Boat Cafe at
Bohicket Marina, hosted a group of children from James Island Christian
School. A fun fishing contest came first, then the ice cream.
The ice cream flavor of mixed yellow, blue and red called Superman was
by far the favorite, and chaperones were not left out of the treats. Everyone also
received a card for free ice cream on his or her next visit, although some wanted
to use it right away.
All arrangements and expenses were made and paid for by Gerhart, who is
committed to helping children in many ways. Among his giving, Gerhart buys
books for Mt. Zion Elementary on Johns Island, and rewards high grades at the
school with, you guessed it, ice cream.
Gerhart visits the school every nine weeks when the grades are given out.

Page 2

Habitat Womens Build

Children who make the honor roll or Principles list get free ice cream, a huge
incentive for these youngsters. Earlier this year he approached the school nurse,
Abbi Beckford, about what else he could do for the children.
Beckford, who had wanted to implement a First Book program at the school
for a while, jumped at the opportunity. First Book is a group that puts together
boxes of books for schools to help children start their at home library collection,
by giving them their first book. Every book that is provided through the program
goes home with the child; it doesnt stay at the school.
Gerharts sponsorship of the program provided the school with 670 books.
Children in each grade received the
same age-appropriate books, The
Sweet Tooth Fairy continues on page 22
Toy Story for Kindergarten, The

Page 7

Wave Dissipation

Page 14

Are You Prepared?

June 06, 2014

daily

Building towards a better future

KIAWAH WOMEN PUT GIRL POWER TO GOOD USE

AT H A B I TAT W O M E N S B U I L D

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com

BY JENNIFER TUOHY

The Island Connection Editor

Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
Resident Photographer

Contributors
Jennie Flinn
Martha Zink
Zach Huey
Beth Ann Holbrook
Colin Cuskley
Jim Beasley
Kathryn Casey
Wendy Kulick
Brandon Johnston
Michael Sosnowski

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: June 11 for
submissions
for the June 20 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.

The women volunteers from Kiawah, pose with the team they worked with on May 8.
Pictured are Lauren Pugh, Wendy Kulick, Dee Rausch, Shauneen Hutchinson, Pam
Levy, Diane Lehder, Barbara Sanders, Nancy Smith, Lisa Pugh, Colleen Walz and
Eileen Van Horn.

t was an inspiring sight. Women from

all walks of life stood shoulder to
shoulder, ladder next to ladder as they
worked together to help build a home for
a woman working hard to improve her
familys life.
Sea Island Habitat for Humanitys
14th annual Womens Build took place
May 3 to 10 on James Island. On May 8,
a group of 13 women from Kiawah Island
and three St. Johns firefighters went along
to lend a hand.
You should see Eileen caulk inside a
house! Colleen Walz, St Johns Fire Chief,
said with a laugh as the women took a
much needed break from the sun and
enjoyed a hearty lunch courtesy of Chick
Fil A under the shade of a tent.
Eileen Van Horn has been volunteering
for Habitat for Humanity for 15 years,
and serves as an inspiration for the large

Civic Calendar
Monday, June 9
Kiawah Municipal
Court
10:30 11:30 a.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Wednesday,
June 11

The Island
Connection
Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC
Publishers of Island Eye News,
The Island Connection

assemblage of women from Kiawah

Island that gathered at the Laurel Oak
Grove Community on a hot and humid
Thursday.
I think it would make a lot of husbands
proud to see what their wives are doing
out here today, Susan Poole, St. Johns
Firefighter, said.
The house sitting alongside the lunch
tent was already halfway to becoming a
home. The women had spent the morning
putting in windows and placing the roof.
The contingency of Kiawah women
had been rounded up by the combined
forces of Wendy Kulick, whose husband
used to help Habitat find land on Johns
Island, and her friend and colleague
Diane Lehder. The duo kicked off the
tradition a few years back, after Lehder
had volunteered with some women from
Seabrook one year, and decided to get a

Kiawah Arts Council

Meeting
10 a.m. 12 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Kiawah Public Safety
Committee Meeting
2 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Seabrook Island
Town Planning

Commission Meeting
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Thursday, June
12
Kiawah Disaster
Awareness Day
10 a.m. 2 p.m.
The Sandcastle

Tuesday, June
24
Kiawah Ways and
Means Committee
Meeting
2 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Seabrook Island

Town Council
Meeting
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Wednesday,
June 25
Kiawah Livability
Court
9:30 10:30 a.m.
Kiawah Town Council
Kiawah Municipal
Court
10:30 11:30 a.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

group of women from Kiawah together.

This year was the largest group ever
from the island, and was comprised of
Shauneen Hutchinson, Nancy Johnson,
Pam Levy, Lauren Pugh, Lisa Pugh, Dee
Rausch, Barbara Sanders, Nancy Smith,
Eileen Van Horn, Fran Wermuth, Kulick
and Lehder. They also recruited some fire
power from St Johns fire department in
the form of Susan Poole, Patty Stanton
and Colleen Walz.
You get a lot more out of doing this
than you give, said Kulick, referring to
the reward of literally building a safe,
stable environment for a local family.
Habitat provides safe, decent and
affordable home for a family in need of a
hand up, not a hand out, and the womens
build is an empowering event that creates
a we can do it bond among the builders.
Its amazing to see these ladies putting
up walls, Julia Hammer, development
and communications coordinator for Sea
Island Habitat said. Womens Build is
really a unique event, usually its just 3 or
4 volunteers, this week we have over 100
people helping out.
Kiawah Island golf resort also supplied
a team during the week, and even held
a bake sale to help raise funds a portion
of the $65,000 needed for the materials
to build the 3 bedroom, two bathroom
LEED certified house.
We have women of all ages out here,
from 18 to 80. Theres something for
everyone to do, and you learn a new skill,
Hammer said.
The Laurel Grove neighborhood has 22
homes, eight are finished and occupied,
five are nearly complete and the rest are
scheduled to be built this year.
To find out about volunteer opportunities
with Sea Island Habitat visit www.
seaislandhabitat.org.

K iawah Island Town H all

21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Fax: 768-4764
Seabrook Island Town H all
2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9121
Fax: 768-9830
Email:
lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
Johns Island Council
Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric Co-op
located at 3351 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Charleston County Council
4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
958-4700t
City of Charleston
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745

June 06, 2014

daily

Investment in a lifetime

J O H N S I S L A N D E R S PAT H T O C O L L E G E A T R U E C O M M U N I T Y E F F O R T
BY MICHAEL SOSNOWSKI
For The Island Connection

n the morning of May 17, Johns

Islands Andre Coaxum walked
across the stage under the oaks at
Charleston Collegiate School to receive his
diploma after seven outstanding years as a
natural student leader at the school. Next
fall, Andre will be the first in his family
to go to college, having been accepted
to UNC Chapel Hill on a full academic
scholarship. Andres is a true Johns Island
success story.

Andre will
be the
first in
his family
to go to
college.
The Student Body President of
Charleston Collegiate and the Salutatorian
of an impressive senior class, with students
accepted at UVA, Wake Forest, Tulane,
Temple, Univ. of Colorado Boulder,
UGA, USC and Clemson, Andre was also
chosen by his peers and teachers to be the
2014 Honor Graduate, one of the schools
highest honors, which carries with it the
responsibility of delivering the senior
speech at graduation.
Andre arrived at CCS as a 6th grader,
after Sunshine Math tutors and Kiawah
residents Pete Trees, Dick Murphy, Larry
Iwan, Steve Sager and Roger Ackerman
noticed tremendous potential in the
young boy during advanced math sessions
after school at Mt. Zion Elementary.
These gentlemen brought Andre to
CCS and helped sponsor his first year at
the school. His education from that point
on was provided for through generous
local donations to the schools John
Thompson Collegiate Scholars Fund, a

Bill McTigue, center, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Hacker Burr, Charleston Collegiate Schools Head, present Andre
Coaxum with his diploma.

fund with a growing donor base that now

supports the education of over 35 students
at the PreK-12 college prep school.
Andre is a true role model and
inspiration for the next generation of
students, and a great representative all
of the great people (teachers, donors,
mentors) on our island that made his
story possible. It is this kind of neighborly
support that will have the power to make
our island stronger via our best resource,
our children. Talk about the investment of
a lifetime.

civic

Island Connection seeks

community reporter

he Island Connection is looking

to hire a part-time reporter to
cover municipal government on
Seabrook and Kiawah Islands.
The successful candidate will
be required to attend various
municipal committee meetings
and Town Council meetings
and translate the information
succinctly and accurately to the
citizens of the islands. He or she
will also have the opportunity to
contribute feature stories to the
newspaper.
Previous reporting experience
preferred, but training will
be offered to a candidate who
demonstrates enthusiasm and
interest in the subject matter.

To apply for the position please email

a cover letter, resume and samples of your
writing to jennifer@luckydognews.com.

June 06, 2014

June 06, 2014

daily

Tax relief offered for

rental property owners
BY KATHRYN CASEY

The Island Connection Reporter

bill targeted at relieving tax burdens

on South Carolinas middle class
has been introduced to the South
Carolina Legislature. Read for the first
time on June 6, 2013, Bill 437 is under
review by the Senate. This bill questions
how long a homeowner can rent their
property before their home is assessed at
a higher rate.
Normally, an owner-occupied home
is assessed at 4 percent for property tax
purposes, while all other homes are
assessed at 6 percent. After being rented

This isnt a
tax break for
the rich. Its
more for the
middle class.
Senator Ray Cleary
for 15 days a year, a home is assessed at
the higher rate. Bill 437 would allow a
taxpayer to rent a property for up to 72
days and retain the special 4 percent,
according to the bills documents.
Bill 437s sponsor, Senator Ray Cleary,

R - Georgetown, believes the changes

to the code of laws of South Carolina is
necessary for some middle class families
that cant afford not to rent their homes.
For the last 10 years, Senate has been
trying to help people keep their homes,
Cleary said. Some people are forced to
move into a condo for the summer and
rent their home out to afford increasing
insurance rates. They really dont want to
lose the family home, for a lot of people,
thats their only home.
According to Cleary, the current
property tax laws are not fair to the middle
class families who cannot afford the
increased property taxes that come with
renting a home for more than 14 days.
This isnt a tax break for the rich. Its
more for the middle class, Cleary said.
It doesnt give them a tax break, it allows
them to say this is their permanent home.
Cleary goes onto explain that in the
eyes of the Supreme Court, someone that
rents their home for more than 15 days
of the year cannot claim it as their main
residence.
The bill has just come out of the Senate
with a date change. Its next stop is a review
in the House.

June 06, 2014

June 06, 2014

daily

Wave Dissipation System approved by State Senate

M O U N T P L E A S A N T R E S I D E N T S I N V E N T I O N H E L P S D I S S I PAT E T H E
POWER OF THE OCEAN BEFORE IT DAMAGES STRUCTURES
BY JENNIFER TUOHY

he Wave Dissipation System

designed by Mount Pleasant
resident Deron Nettles has been
approved for use by the South Carolina
State legislature. The system has been
added as a fourth option for property
owners who have obtained an emergency
order to protect their property from the
encroaching ocean.
On Tuesday May 20, 2014 the
House voted unanimously to allow
wave dissipation systems or other new
technology as an alternative to currently
used methods. Last month the Senate
also approved the measure. Another
procedural vote sends the bill to the
governor for her signature.
The system will now be allowed to be
used instead of or in conjunction with the
current methods, Nettles said. Current
methods include sand bags, sand scraping
and re-nourishment.
Its a very simple process, State Rep.
Davey Hiott said before the vote. What
they do is very temporary. They can take
it and put it up in 72 hours.
Nettles system is designed to protect
structures behind it by dissipating
the power of waves before they hit
the structures. Constructed of a

The Island Connection Editor

PHOTO BY DERON NETTLES

This new 144 ft wave dissipation system was installed on the northern end of the Isle of
Palms in May, it replaced the trial 88 ft system in place since October.

hollow composite polyvinyl resin and

polyethylene plastic, it resembles a tightlywoven log fence both in appearance and

implementation. Piles are water-jetted

into the beach and housing units slipped
over the top. Multiple log-shaped panels

are then slotted between the units and

everything is locked into place.
When waves hit the panels they are
able to pass through it but at substantially
reduced energy levels, which differentiates
the system from a traditional sea wall that
simply blocks waves.
Its important for people to remember
that its a system thats devised to
dissipate wave energy off a dune system
or structure, Nettles said. Any sand that
builds up in front or behind the system,
thats a bonus.
Nettles first installed a test system in
front of Seascape Condos on the northern
tip of the Isle of Palms. The 88 foot wide
fence was in place through March of this
year. Following a particularly high tide
however, parts of it were washed away.
It broke up during the new moon high
tide, Mary Pringle, Isle of Palms and
Sullivans Island Project Leader for the
SCDNR Turtle Nest Protection Program,
said. I found part of it at 29th Ave., and
at 12th Ave.
The rate of erosion starting to occur
out there is really ramping up, Nettles
said when asked about the break up and

Dissipation continues on page 8

daily

A high tide shows water coming through the system.

PHOTO BY MARY PRINGLE

Dissipation continues from page 7

subsequent removal of the wall. We were
losing ground on keeping those sides
contained. The wings were only embedded
3-4 feet, and they were adversely impacted
by the extreme high tide. The main part,
which was down 6-8 feet did fine. It was
a test and wasnt designed to fully protect
that north corner of that building.
He has since installed a 144ft fence
embedded up to 12 feet, making it much
longer and stronger. Nettles pointed out
they were able to remove the entire 88 feet
in 4 hours.
If you tried to do that with 88 feet of

sandbags it would take days or a week, and

they would be shredding and littering.
As of early June, Nettles says the new
system is performing nicely now that it
is specifically designed and tailored to
protect the north corner of the building.
Turtle advocates on the islands are not
particularly happy however.
If it is out on the beach and those
horizontal pipes are in place then its
not turtle friendlybecause its a barrier,
Pringle said. Im just afraid people are
getting their hopes upwith unrealistic
expectations regarding erosion.

To be truly turtle friendly it would

have to be removed between May and
October, thats turtle nesting season, thats
when the rules go into effect.
However an emergency order overrides
DHECs turtle nesting rules, which is why
the sandbags and now the wave dissipation
system are allowed in front of the Seascape
condos.
Nettles counters that his fence is far
friendlier than the sandbags, which are
the current option being used on Isle of
Palms.
When you have no storm or no
elevated tidal events the panels dont need
to be in therethats when its turtle
friendly. If you have a storm or high tide
come in, you can install the panels and
then quickly remove them afterwards, he
said. But when youre in an emergency
situation like the Ocean Club its not a
conducive area for turtles to nest. Theyre
not going to nest in a heavily eroded
area. The turtle team will find them and
relocate them.
Now that the system has been approved
for use in emergency situations, what is
next for Nettles?
Were looking at helping people, he
said. We really think we have a good
product and something thats proven
to not cause scouring or any down drift
problems. Were really happy with that.
Were working closely with OCRM
and DHEC to show them were having
good results. Were having surveys and
elevations shot every two weeks.
Not all conservationists are onboard
however, The State newspaper reported
that Duke University coastal geologist

www.islandconnectionnews.com

June 06, 2014

Orrin Pilkey doubts more study will make

a difference.
If the device is blocking sand, it is
interfering with the natural movement of
the beach, he said. And if the device is
too large, it could limit public access to
the beach.
It stays tight to a dune line that is near
to a structure, it doesnt impede beach
goers, Nettles said. Sandbags usually
block public access, our system does not.
We can have all public access open with
our system. Plus were only going to be
in areas like the Ocean Club or Seascape
where its bad.
Pilkey believes however that the system
is simply a seawall and will cause the loss
of beach without helping the property
behind it.
I just cant believe that in this day
and age this kind of device would be on
the market. It aint gonna work. Id stake
my reputation on it. I call these kinds of
things snake oil devices, he said to The
State newspaper.
One Isle of Palms resident noted that
at high tide the waves had taken out any
accreted sand behind the system and then
some.
The water was actually scraping the
beach behind the wall, she said.
For now however, Nettles has his
chance to prove his doubters wrong. The
new legislation means the system can be
in place until the anticipated sand bar that
is slowly migrating to the northern end of
Isle of Palms comes to the rescue of the
homes there.

June 06, 2014

Nature & Wildlife

Osprey chick hatches in new home

N E S T I N G P L AT F O R M S I N S TA L L E D AT L E G A R E FA R M S
LAST YEAR PROVE SUCCESSFUL
BY COLIN CUSKLEY
For The Island Connection

ast fall, with the help of Berkeley

Electric,
the
Johns
Island
Conservancy installed two osprey
nesting platforms, one at Legare Farms and
one at Mullet Hall (a third was recently
installed at CATR Farms). Often it can
take a couple of years for a nesting pair to
occupy a new platform. Ospreys prefer to
return to the same nesting site each year.
The Legare site was near a former nest on a
very tall communications tower. As part of
the project, the communications company
removed the old nest from the tower.
When the pair returned early this year
to find their old home gone, they moved
to the new platform. In late March the
female was spotted brooding eggs.
We continued to observe the birds
sitting on nest through the end of April.
On May 7 we saw the hen was no longer
sitting and appeared to be spreading
her wings in the hot sun as if shielding
something. While no chick was visible,
we think one must have hatched by this
time. Then on May 16 we got a picture of
a chick.
Ospreys generally lay multiple eggs, up
to 4. But only one chick has been observed
so far. Often, the first to hatch, the biggest
and strongest, will monopolize all the

Dad brings lunch to his family.

food and force out younger siblings. We

are not sure if this is the case with our nest

PHOTO BY COLIN CUSKLEY

or if only one egg had been laid.

Platform Installed at CATR Farms

A platform built this past winter for
CATR Farms, which is located at the
Brickhouse Equestrian Center, was finally
erected this month. Berkeley Electric had
a busy winter season with the ice storms
and then the ground was too wet after
the many rainstorms. Once the ground
firmed up, the busy Berkeley crew again
did a great job. While the platform got
in too late for this nesting season, we are
optimistic that the great location on a
two-acre pond will attract a pair next year.
The platform can be seen from River Rd.
where it intersects Hamilton Rd.
Colin Cuskley is the Executive Director
of the Johns Island Conservancy, read about
the osprey platforms and other projects at its
website jicsc.org.

10

Whats hot

daily

Stay safe on two

wheels this summer

If its Monday, this

must be Arlington
National Cemetery!

BY BRANDON JOHNSTON
For The Island Connection

June 06, 2014

ummer is once again upon us and its

time to break out those bicycles and
enjoy these beautiful Carolina days.
Yet, according to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration A total of
677 pedal cyclists were killed in motor
vehicle crashes in recent years. Therefore,
here are a few tips for cyclists and motorists
to help keep everyone safe while enjoying
our magnificent lowcountry area.
Always wear a helmet, especially
when riding on or near roadways.
Wear bright clothing and make sure
you have reflectors or lights in the front
and rear of your bike so you can be easily

seen by motorists.
Motorists should use extra
caution while driving, particularly in
neighborhoods and other congested or
residential areas where bicyclists are likely
to travel.
Motorists and cyclists have a
responsibility to share the road and look
out for each other.
Be courteous and remember to
use proper hand signals when turning,
slowing, or stopping.
Obey traffic signs and ride in bike
lanes if available.
Children should always be supervised
while cycling, particularly near roadways.

total of 677
pedal cyclists
were killed in
motor vehicle
crashes in
recent years.

The Lowcountry has much to offer for

us all to enjoy. So please follow these tips,
be safe, and have fun.

M T. Z I O N F I F T H G R A D E R S
VISIT D.C.
BY WENDY KULICK

For The Island Connection

hree
Smithsonian
museums,
the Changing of the Guard at
the Tomb of the Unknowns at
Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S.
Capitol, six memorials, a 3D movie about
lemurs and their unique habitat, a tour of
Fords Theatre followed by a play about
President Lincolns assassination, and the
Holocaust Museumall in less than four
days. These were just some of the places
in our nations capital fifth graders from
Johns Islands Mt. Zion Elementary
School had the opportunity to see between
Monday, May 19 and Thursday, May 22.
This jam-packed, exciting trip enabled
the history and science they have been
studying for the past two years come alive
for the 24 students. An especially poignant
part of the trip was the visit to the World
War II Memorial, where students had
the opportunity to speak with individual
veterans of World War II and learn first
hand about their experiences.
Perhaps the most moving experience
was during the visit to the Holocaust
Museum, listening to Jacques Fein,
Maryla Orgel Korn, and Halina Asharoff
Peabody describe their experiences as
survivors of the Nazis occupation of their

countries, France and Poland. Their lives

were upended when the Nazis forced
them to be separated from their parents.
All three of them were infants or toddlers
when, through the kindness of strangers,
they were kept safe from deportation to
concentration camps.
Although exhausted after four long,
busy days, the students all felt this was a
trip they would always remember.
The Washington, DC visit has become
a tradition for graduating fifth graders
at Mt. Zion. It was especially gratifying
to hear all the compliments the children
received at almost every place they went.
They were well behaved, interested in
what we were seeing and hearing, and
asked relevant questions.
Everyone returned home safe, sound
and totally exhaustedchildren and
chaperones alike. We will all remember
what a special four days we spent together
and I doubt the students will ever forget
this hands-on learning experience. This
trip would not have been possible without
the generosity of Kiawah and Seabrook
property owners contributions and the
fundraising events the students held
during the year.

June 06, 2014

11

history

daily

100, 101
and still
growing

Homegrown Farmers
Market flourishes

KIAWAHSEABROOK
EXCHANGE
CLUB
C E L E B R AT E S
MILESTONE

J O H N S I S L A N D M A R K E T S TA R T S N E W
PROGRAMMING, RECEIVES GRANT
BY BETH ANN HOLBROOK
For The Island Connection

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

he Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange
Club passes a century mark
once again as the membership of
the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club
continues to grow.
At the past meeting of the KiawahSeabrook Exchange Club, the 100th
and 101st active members were inducted
into the club. Pam Paroli of Seabrook
Island and Michael Lehane of Kiawah
River Estates were the new members
who were inducted. Both were sponsored
by Exchangeite, Mike Gorski. After the
welcome to the new members, the club
rose for a toast in recognition of the clubs
growth.
President Mike Todd shared some of
the membership history with the club
members. The club had an all-time high
enrollment of 115 members in 1989. This
is the first time the club has exceeded 100
members since 2007-2008 when Frank
Farfone was the Club President.
Tom Miller, Membership Chairperson
for the club, also recognized Past President
Roger Steel for sponsoring seven of the
newer members.
The Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club
is a service club which is open to women
and men who either live or have an interest
in the greater Johns and Wadmalaw
Islands. The club was chartered in 1984
and has supported local charities with over
$2,000,000 in financial support. This year
the club has financially supported over 20
charitable and educational activities.

s part of its commitment to

the community and leading a
sustainable lifestyle, Homegrown
Johns Island Farmers Market is
incorporating free educational events
throughout the summer. Kicking off the
events this Saturday, May 31 from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. are activities including a
presentation by local bee expert Larry
Sexton and a new vendor booth featuring
delicious prepared foods that use only
fresh ingredients available at the market.
Johns Island Farmers Market, located
at 3546 Maybank Highway, is one of
41 South Carolina community farmers
markets to be awarded a $500 grant from
AgSouth Farm Credit. The Summervillebased cooperative will be on hand to
present the check and give away 250
reusable tote bags with the Think
Outside the Store logo. Free parking is

available all day.

Larry Sexton of Charleston Bees
and Honey and the Charleston Area
Beekeepers Association will have an
observation bee hive on display all day and
a honey extraction presentation at noon
Check presentation with Drew
McClam from AgSouth at 10:30 a.m.
Recipe cards available at new vendor
John Davis booth
Live music by Ed and Gretchen
Robinson from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Bounce House for kids and interactive
activities for all ages
Food truck Baja Burritos opens at 10
a.m.
Cornhole game sets available for
everyone to enjoy

Island Connection Calendar

10

June 06, 2014

June 6
Tuesdays

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays
Farmers Market
Shop for Lowcountry produce, prepared
foods, crafts, specialty products and more at
the Farmers Market at Freshfields Village.
The Market will begin June 2, and will take
place every Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. until
August 25.
POPS Bible Study
8:30 a.m. at the Sandcastle
Monday Bridge Group
The Monday Bridge Group needs new
players. 9 a.m. at the Lake House. For
more information, please contact Lori
Muenow at 843.768.2314 or Ilse Calcagno
at 843.768.0317.
Seabrook Stitchers
The Lake House, every Monday from 11
a.m. - 1 p.m. For more information, please
contact Denise Doyon at dendoyon@gmail.
com.

Mah Jongg Practice

2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday of the month,
The Lake House - Osprey 2, 1 - 4 p.m.
Open to all new players, those returning
to the game, and anyone else who wants
a chance to practice with others who
are learning the game. If you have any
questions, please contact Helen Thompson
at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.

Wednesdays
Nickelodeon Character Wednesdays
Starting June 4 your favorite Nickelodeon
characters will be making special
appearances at the waterparks on
Wednesdays this summer. Catch them
during your visit to Splash Zone, Splash
Island, and Whirlin Waters Adventure
Waterpark. Characters will make
appearances during regular park hours (10
a.m. 6 p.m.); exact times will be available
on site.
Freshfields Village Outdoor Movie Series
8:30 p.m., May 28-August 27. Starlight
Cinema offers free, outdoor movies on
Wednesdays. Bring a beach chair or blanket,
pack a picnic and head to the Village Green.
There will be new releases like Frozen and
classic family movies like Remember the
Titans playing this summer. Upcoming
movies include The Smurfs 2, Hook,
Despicable Me 2, Honey I Shrunk the Kids,

and The Nut Job. For more information

visit www.freshfieldsvillage.com.

Thursdays
Yappy Hour and Pups, Yups & Food
Truck return
Both held on select Thursday evenings at
James Island County Park and Palmetto
Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant.
Yappy Hour features live music and
beverages for sale, directly in the off-leash
dog park at James Island County Park.
Yappy Hour kicks off on May 15 with a
performance by the Soul Fish Duo. Pups,
Yups and Food Trucks offers on-site food
trucks and live music in the meadow at
Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount
Pleasant, just adjacent to the dog park.
Pups, Yups and Food Trucks will debut
May 22 with the Cast Iron Food Truck and
live music by family favorite Dave Landeo.

Fridays
Music on the Green
Fridays from May 30 to August 29,
6 to 9 p.m. These family-friendly live
performances are the perfect place to kick
your heels up and enjoy the sounds of rock,
blues, jazz, country, soul, disco and every
genre in between.
June 6: Shelly Waters is a Louisiana native
who brings her Cajun country, swamp pop,
Gulf Coast rhythm n rock sound to the
East Coast.
June 13: Chris Crosby Group is a multitalented group of musicians who perform
everything from acoustic and jazz to
country and beach.
June 20: Coconut Groove Bands five
members pride themselves on playing
feel good music. Whether its island,
soul, rhythm & blues, funk, blues or
easy listening, they are guaranteed crowd
pleasers.
June 27: Rubberband puts on a high energy
show mixed with disco, reggae, hip hop,
funk, R&B and rock hits to keep everyone
on their feet.
Preschool Zone
Fridays in April at 10:30 a.m., 351 Maybank
Highway, Johns Island Regional Library.
3-6 years old with adult. Call 843.559.1945
for more information.

Music on the Green

6-9 p.m., May 30-August 29 at Freshfields
Village. Kiawah Island will be rocking with
Freshfield Villages free weekly concerts on
the Village Gree. These are family friendly
live performances. There will be rock,
blues, jazz, country, soul, disco and every
genre in between. Upcoming concerts
include Groove Train, Shelly Waters, Chris
Cosby Group, Coconut Groove Band, and
Rubberband. Visit www.freshfieldsvillage.
com for more information.

Saturdays
Amys Place live entertainment
The restaurant just outside the gates of
Seabrook features live entertainment with
Steve Joy (Jazz) every Saturday night from
6 8 p.m. Special guest appearances by
beloved Ann Caldwell singing R&B, Joe
Tedesko, John Stockdale and Shrimp City
Slim.
Homegrown
New Johns Island Farmers Market. Every
Saturday at 3546 Maybank Highway
Johns Island, 10 a.m. 2 p.m. www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.
Charleston Farmers Market
8 a.m.-2 p.m. rain or shine in Marion
Square, 329 Meeting Street. A variety of
local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers
as well as breakfast and lunch vendors, live
entertainment and an assortment of juried
arts and crafts from local artisans for visitors
to experience.
Summer Concert Series on the Sanctuary
Grand Lawn
Shows begin at 5pm on Saturday evenings.
The Summer Concert Series is Kiawah
Island Golf Resorts summer live music
lineup which will be held most Saturdays
at The Sanctuary on the beautiful Grand
Lawn overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Each concert is packed with family friendly
entertainment and beachy, summer
music. Each concert will host a different
regional band for this complimentary event
sponsored by State Accommodations Tax
(SATAX) Funds, Town of Kiawah and
Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

Ongoing
Unfurled: Flags from the Collections of
the Charleston Museum

The Charleston Museum presents an

original exhibition, Unfurled: Flags from
the Collections of the Charleston Museum,
from May 5, 2014 to January 4, 2015. On
display in its Historic Textiles Gallery, the
Museums flag collection spans from the
early 19th century to the late 20th century,
with examples covering a range of functions
and styles. Many flags are exhibited for the
first time.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7
Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting
9 a.m. 12 p.m., Front Beach Isle Of
Palms, free event. Individual and team
entries are permit (Maximum 4 people on
a team). Registration will be offered at 8:30
a.m. day of event. Free T-shirts to the first
200 pre-register participants. To register call
843.886.8294 or visit www. iop.net.
Summer Concert Series at Kiawah Island
Golf Resort
5 p.m. Palmetto Soul, a variety band
featuring a cool mix of hot songs from the
70s, 80s, 90s, and today is playing on the
Grand Lawn at the Kiawah Island Golf
Resort.
Live music at Amys Place.
6 p.m. Steve Joy playing live music at Amys
Place.
Be Fit Charleston
10 a.m. 2 p.m. Old Towne Creek County
Park, Take in the views of Old Towne
Creek County Park during our premier
fitness festival and famers market. Handson activities include boot camp and yoga
classes for adults, recycle relays, and
interpretive nature walks for kids and more.
Bring a bike or a pair of walking shoes and
explore on your own. Sign up for our Be Fit
CSA. Attendees will also be entered for door
prizes. Rain date: Sat, June 21. Fee: $10/$5:
Ages 3-12/Free: Ages 2 & under

SUNDAY, JUNE 8
13th Annual Scouts Day at Whirlin
Waters
10 a.m. 6 p.m. Whirlin Waters
Adventure Waterpark at North Charleston
Wannamaker County Park. Scouts, sign up
for this special day at the waterpark in your
honor! Play in the cool water, earn a safety

patch, and win prizes. Lunch vouchers

available for $6. Registration required by
June 6. Register online or call 795-4386.
$12.99 per Scout and family member. Free:
ages 2 & under/Super Splash Pass holders
(advance registration still required.)

TUESDAY, JUNE 10
Computer Fundamentals: Using the
Mouse and Keyboard (adults/young
adults)
10 a.m. 12 p.m. The mouse and keyboard
are your computers communication tools.
Learn how to click, double-click, click
and drag, and scroll with the mouse. Then
practice typing and editing text, numbers,
and symbols with the keyboard. No
previous computer experience expected.
Registration starts 5/27. At Johns Island
Regional Library.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
Diego from Nickelodeons Go, Diego, Go!
At Splash Zone (located with James Island
County Park). For further details on the
waterparks, or a full summertime character
schedule, visit splashparks.com or call
843.795.4386.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12
2014 Disaster Awareness Day
Sponsored jointly by the Towns of Kiawah
Island and Seabrook Island, at the River
Course on Kiawah.
Main Summer Book Sale at Johns Island
Regional Library
June 12 from 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m., June
13 and 14 from 9 a.m. 5:30 p.m., June 15
from 2 4 p.m. Prices start at $1 during
this fantastic sale on fiction, non-fiction,
childrens books and more. Special deals
will be featured on Sunday, and proceeds
benefit the Charleston County Public
Library.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Live music at Amys Place.
6 p.m. Shrimp City Slim playing live music
at Amys Place.

June 21
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Summer Concert Series at Kiawah Island
Golf Resort
5 p.m. The Sneakers a dynamic party band
playing Beach and Blues to Funk and Jazz is
playing on the Grand Lawn at the Kiawah
Island Golf Resort.
Live music at Amys Place
6 p.m. Steve Joy playing live music at Amys
Place.
Folly Pier Fishing Tournament
Sat., June 14, 6 a.m. 2 p.m., Folly Beach
Fishing Pier. Join us for some fishing fun
and good-spirited competition, at one of the
largest piers on the East Coast! Prizes are
awarded for the three largest catches in the
Big Fish category and for the largest catch in
the King Mackerel category. Pre-registration
will end June 12. On-site registration
will begin at 6 a.m. Tournaments held
rain or shine. For ages 3 and up; an adult
chaperone is required for participants ages
15 and under. For additional information,
call (843) 588-3474. Fee: $13/$10 CCR
Discount & $8: seniors and ages 3-12/King
Mackerel: $15/$13 CCR Discount.

SUNDAY, JUNE 15
Charleston Sprint Triathlon Race #2
7 a.m., James Island County Park. This
24th annual swim-bike-run event is the
second of a five-race series. The race begins

with a 600-yard open freshwater swim

in the lake at James Island County Park,
continues with a 12-mile bike ride through
the scenic paved paths of the park and
nearby roads, and finishes with a flat 5K
run. Fees start at $50 per race. Spectators
welcome! For more information, visit
charlestoncountyparks.com/csts. Open to
ages 12 and up

TUESDAY, JUNE 17
File Storage and Organization
10 a.m. 12 p.m. Discover how to save
and organize your computer files more
efficiently. Learn how to rename files,
move and copy files, create folders to save
files by subject, and delete unwanted files.
Experience using the mouse and keyboard
is expected. Registration starts 6/3 at Johns
Island Regional Library.
Sea Islands Book Club
2 p.m. Join us to discuss Astronaut Wives
Club: a True Story by Lily Koppel at Johns
Island Regional Library. Copies of the book
may be obtained from the Reference Desk
for check out while supplies last.

SATURDAY, JUNE 21
Summer Concert Series
5 p.m. The Sugarbees will be playing on
the Grand Lawn at the Kiawah Island Golf
Resort. Featuring Top 40, Alterative, Beach
and Boogie, and Classic Favorites.

14

June 06, 2014

hurricane season 2014

NOAA predicts near-normal or

below-normal 2014 season
EL NIO EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AND SUPPRESS THE
NUMBER AND INTENSITY OF TROPICAL CYCLONES
BY NOAA

For The Island Connection

CREDIT: NOAA

2014 Atlantic hurricane outlook.

n its 2014 Atlantic hurricane season

outlook issued today, NOAAs Climate
Prediction Center is forecasting a nearnormal or below-normal season.
The main driver of this years outlook
is the anticipated development of El Nio
this summer. El Nio causes stronger
wind shear, which reduces the number
and intensity of tropical storms and
hurricanes. El Nio can also strengthen
the trade winds and increase the
atmospheric stability across the tropical
Atlantic, making it more difficult for
cloud systems coming off of Africa to
intensify into tropical storms.
The outlook calls for a 50 percent
chance of a below-normal season, a 40
percent chance of a near-normal season,
and only a 10 percent chance of an
above-normal season. For the six-month
hurricane season, which begins June 1,
NOAA predicts a 70 percent likelihood
of 8 to 13 named storms (winds of 39
mph or higher), of which 3 to 6 could
become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or
higher), including 1 to 2 major hurricanes
(Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or
higher).
These numbers are near or below the
seasonal averages of 12 named storms, six
hurricanes and three major hurricanes,
based on the average from 1981 to 2010.
The Atlantic hurricane region includes the

North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and

Atmospheric and oceanic conditions
Gulf of Mexico.
across the tropical Pacific are already
Thanks to the environmental taking on some El Nio characteristics.
intelligence from NOAAs network of Also, we are currently seeing strong trade
earth observations, our scientists and winds and wind shear over the tropical
meteorologists can provide life-saving Atlantic, and NOAAs climate models
products like our new storm surge predict these conditions will persist, in
part because of El
threat map and
Nio, Bell said.
our
hurricane
The expectation
forecasts,
said
of
near-average
Kathryn Sullivan,
Ocean
Ph.D.,
NOAA
Town of Kiawah Disaster Atlantic
temperatures
this
administrator. And
Awareness Day
season, rather than
even though we
Date: Thursday, June 12, 2014 the above-average
expect El Nio to
Time: 10 a.m. 2 p.m.
temperatures
suppress the number
Location:
The
Sandcastle,
seen since 1995,
of storms this season,
Kiawah Island
also
suggests
its important to
fewer
Atlantic
remember it takes
hurricanes.
only one land falling
storm to cause a
NOAA
is
disaster.
rolling out new
Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal tools at the National Hurricane Center
hurricane forecaster with NOAAs Climate this year. An experimental mapping tool
Prediction Center, said the Atlantic will be used to show communities their
which has seen above-normal seasons in storm surge flood threat. The map will be
12 of the last 20 years has been in an issued for coastal areas when a hurricane
era of high activity for hurricanes since or tropical storm watch is first issued,
1995. However, this high-activity pattern or approximately 48 hours before the
is expected to be offset in 2014 by the anticipated onset of tropical storm force
impacts of El Nio, and by cooler Atlantic winds. The map will show land areas
Ocean temperatures than weve seen in where storm surge could occur and how
high above ground the water could reach
recent years.

in those areas.
Early
testing
on
continued
improvements to NOAAs Hurricane
Weather Research and Forecasting model
(HWRF) shows a 10 percent improvement
in this years model compared to last year.
Hurricane forecasters use the HWRF
along with other models to produce
forecasts and issue warnings. The HWRF
model is being adopted by a number of
Western Pacific and Indian Ocean rim
nations.
NOAAs seasonal hurricane outlook is
not a hurricane landfall forecast; it does
not predict how many storms will hit land
or where a storm will strike. Forecasts for
individual storms and their impacts will
be provided throughout the season by
NOAAs National Hurricane Center.
It only takes one hurricane or tropical
storm making landfall to have disastrous
impacts on our communities, said Joe
Nimmich, FEMA associate administrator
for Response and Recovery. Just last
month, Pensacola, Florida saw five inches
of rain in 45 minuteswithout a tropical
storm or hurricane. We need you to be
ready. Know your risk for hurricanes and
severe weather, take action now to be
prepared and be an example for others in
your office, school or community. Learn
more about how to prepare for hurricanes
at www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

June 06, 2014

15

hurricane season 2014

Tell DHEC about storm and tide damage in your area

N E W A P P H E L P S A G E N C Y D O C U M E N T A N D R E S P O N D T O C O A S TA L E M E R G E N C I E S
BY JIM BEASLEY

For The Island Connection

single hurricane or extreme coastal

tide can have a significant effect
on South Carolinas beautiful
shoreline. With the arrival of the 2014
hurricane season on June 1, the S.C.
Department of Health and Environmental
Control offers citizens new technology to
help keep an eye open for unusual natural
events along the coast.
Users can access MyCoast through
their mobile phone or computer and

document first-hand observances of

extreme tides and storm damage. The
technology allows you then easily submit
that information for review by DHECs
coastal resource managers. Using the
information provided via MyCoast,
DHEC staff can compare and better
predict environmental conditions through
real-world observations. Information
collected and submitted to the agency
will also be used to help guide policy

Tide C ha r t
Date
June 06
June 07
June 08
June 09
June 10
June 11
June 12
June 13
June 14
June 15
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 19

High Tide
2:35am/3:31pm
3:27am/4:23pm
4:20am/5:14pm
5:14am/6:05pm
6:08am/6:55pm
7:01am/7:45pm
7:54am/8:36pm
8:47am/9:27pm
9:40am/10:19pm
10:35am/11:12pm
11:32am
12:06am/12:31pm
1:01am/1:31pm
1:58am/2:32pm

Low Tide
8:51am/9:26pm
9:40am/10:25pm
10:32am/11:23pm
11:24am
12:17am/12:16pm
1:10am/1:07pm
2:02am/1:59pm
2:52am/2:50pm
3:42am/3:43pm
4:33am/4:36pm
5:24am/5:32pm
6:17am/6:30pm
7:10am/7:32pm
8:05am/8:35pm

Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.

Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
wrong so use common sense.

Source: saltwatertides.com

and planning decisions by government

agencies to better identify and protect
vulnerable areas.
The MyCoast app contains two
separate, though functionally similar
applications:
1. The SC King Tides Initiative allows
users to submit photographs showing the
impact of tides along beaches, tidal creeks
and low-lying areas. The app then adds
useful information to the report, including
geo-location, weather conditions, tide
stage and proximity to the nearest tidal
gauge. A King Tide is any predicted
extreme tide. DHEC has identified 28
King Tide events, occurring mostly in the
late summer and early fall of 2014, and has
incorporated an icon on its annual Tide
Chart to assist in raising public awareness
of the event and program.
2. Storm Witness focuses on the
collection and communication of stormrelated impacts to coastal structures and
beach erosion. In addition to submitting
photos, users can also characterize poststorm beach conditions and impacts to
specific types of structures. The information
collected through Storm Witness enables
DHEC to more efficiently coordinate with
other governmental agencies to prioritize
storm response activities.
Participation in MyCoast is simple. Sign
up and learn more at mycoast.org/sc.

William G. Salters, coastal planner

for Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management, debuts the new MyCoast
app at the Isle of Palms Disaster
Preparedness Expo on May 21. Salters
will demo it next at the Kiawah Island
Disaster Awareness Day on June 12.

16

hurricane season 2014

June 06, 2014

Hurricane season is here: Are you ready?

BY JENNIE FLINN

For The Island Connection

une 1 marked the beginning of the

2014 hurricane season, but are most
people prepared? Are you prepared?
The Charleston County Emergency
Management Department wants residents
to get their familys emergency plan in
place and put their emergency supply kit
together prior to a storm.
Now is the time to get ready, and its
easy with the help of the new Charleston
County Hurricane Preparedness Guide go
to www.charelstoncounty.org and click on
the Are You Ready? banner on the front
page of the Countys website to download,
print and share the guide
Changes in 2014 include:
The North Charleston Coliseum is
no longer available as a pet shelter (new
location to be determined)
Additional transportation pick-up
points have been added around the County
for those who do not have transportation
(all pick-up points are listed in the guide)
The procedures for opening shelters
changed before the 2012 hurricane
season. As a reminder, the public should
know that rather than having a list of
shelters in advance, emergency shelters
are determined with the approach of a
hurricane to South Carolina. In the event
of a hurricane or other major disaster,

residents are asked to monitor local

media outlets for a current list of open
shelters. During an evacuation, listen for
emergency alerts on the radio and look for
road signs for shelter information.
Charleston County Government is
always preparing for a storm and working
with other local and state agencies to
do so, but everyone has an individual
responsibility to get prepared and make
sure their family has a plan, said Cathy
Haynes, Charleston County Emergency
Management Departments Chief of
Operations. Churches and civic groups
can also help by printing the guide for
those who do not have access to the
Internet. Our entire community needs to
help spread the word about the importance
of being prepared.
Last fall, the Countys Emergency
Management Department developed an
app to keep the public informed before,
during and after an emergency situation.
The app is available for free on all Apple
and Android devices. While the app was
designed with hurricane season in mind,
the operation will be a valuable tool for
any natural or man-made disaster.
To get the app search for CC EMD
or CCEMD in your app store. To see an
overview of the apps features, watch this

short tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=EaOwnxXpVwg.
In anticipation of an evacuation order,
which can only be given by the governor,
Haynes also reminds the public that they
should plan to leave town if at all possible,
and everyone along the coast is strongly
encouraged to make travel arrangements
well in advance.
Because of the low-lying areas in our
county, we will never have enough safe
shelter space for all of Charleston Countys
residents, said Jason Patno, Charleston
County
Emergency
Management
Director. Therefore, we encourage
everyone who has the means to leave town
to do so and to consider shelters only as
a last resort when they have nowhere else
to go.
Also, those who have the ability to leave
should do so as early as possible.
You dont have to wait until an
evacuation order is issued, Patno said.
If you can, leave as early as possible to
make your trip easier and to help relieve
the traffic congestion on our roads.
Citizens who do not have transportation
should learn where their nearest evacuation
pick-up point is located. The evacuation
pick-up points are noted by blue signs
with a hurricane and bus symbol, and

are located across the county at many

CARTA bus stops and popular areas like
schools, churches and shopping centers.
In the event of an evacuation order, buses
will transport citizens from the pick-up
points to the nearest available Red Cross
shelter.
It is vital for residents in our
community who dont have transportation
to know where their nearest pick-up point
is before the next hurricane approaches
our coast, Patno said. It takes all of us
working together to make sure our citizens
and neighbors are prepared and safe.
Information in the 2014 Charleston
County Hurricane Preparedness Guide
includes:
What to have in your emergency
supplies kit
Evacuation information and routes
out of Charleston County
Shelter procedures
What to do if you dont have
transportation look for pick-up point
signs posted around the county!
Definitions and what you need to do
during hurricane watches, warnings and
tropical storms

Ready? continues on page 17

June 06, 2014

17

Ready? continues from page 16

Rules to know and items to bring if
you and your pet need to stay at the pet
shelter
Preparations for your home and your
family before the storm
High wind procedures for bridges
What to do after a storm, including
safety measures and handling debris
A family communications plan form
to fill out
Important phone numbers, including

ones that will be activated in the event of

an emergency
The S.C. Emergency Management
Division also produces a guide for residents
throughout the state. Citizens can see the
2014 South Carolina Hurricane Guide
at
www.scemd.org/component/content/
article/26-guides-and-brochures/142-southcarolina-hurricane-guide or pick up a free
copy at any Walgreens store.

Evacuation Routes
Johns Island takes SC 700 (Maybank
Highway) to Road S-20 (Bohicket/
Main Road) to US 17.
Kiawah/Seabrook Islands will take
Road S-20 (Bohicket/Main Rd.) to US
17. Take US 17 south to SC 64 where
you will go to Walterboro, then to
North Augusta.
Evacuation Procedures
When a hurricane threatens South
Carolinas coast, you may plan to leave
voluntarily or you may be ordered
to evacuate. Charleston County no
longer issues voluntary evacuation
orders; however based on reports from
the National Weather Service, the
Governor, and Charleston County EPD,
the Mayor will issue a recommendation
to evacuate the island.
By evacuating early, you will be
able to pick your own evacuation
route. If you wait for a mandatory
evacuation order, you will be told
which route to take. You could be stuck
in traffic and you may not be able to
find accommodations. Vehicles may
be prohibited from crossing bridges
due to strong winds. You are strongly
encouraged to leave early before an
evacuation order.
Kiawah Mandatory Evacuation
If, and when, a mandatory evacuation
is issued, the following actions will be
taken by Kiawah:
CodeRed will be activated and the
Town website will be updated with
pertinent information.

KICA Security will ultimately block

the incoming gate to all but emergency
and official vehicles.
Providing its equipment is not being
used, the St. Johns/Kiawah Island fire
personnel will broadcast the evacuation
order throughout the island using loud
speakers.
When an evacuation has been
determined to be essentially complete,
the Kiawah Emergency Operations
Center will be relocated to an offsite
location as indicated by the Mayor.
Seabrook Evacuation Signals
Security vehicles will patrol the
Island with the following signals:
Siren alarm to evacuate is long-shortlong-short.
Siren alarm that Evacuation Team is
leaving is short-short-short-short.
The patrols mobile public address
system will announce evacuation.
Use your telephone ONLY to call for
emergency services or to receive Task
Force Warnings. Dial 911 to reach
fire, medical, and police emergency
personnel. The Town Emergency
Preparedness Control Centers number
is 768-9121.
Sign up for Code Red Emergency
Alerts
Seabrook: https://cne.coderedweb.com/
Default.aspx?groupid=oUJnZSNRoCno
rr0EeNtNjQ%3d%3d
Kiawah: https://cne.coderedweb.com/
Default.aspx?groupid=DmXBxjai76Utu
%2fxXAt7tlw%3d%3d

18

hurricane season 2014

June 06, 2014

Remember the lessons

of Hugo, Gaston,
David and Andrew
ITS BEEN QUIET FOR A WHILE,
BUT DONT GET COMPLACENT
BY DAVE WILLIAMS

Chief Meteorologist, ABC News 4

For The Island Connection

his year, 2014 is one of hurricane

anniversaries in the Lowcountry
of South Carolina. The last land
falling hurricane in the state came
ashore near Awendaw ten years ago in
the extremely active 2004 season. It was
Gaston, a category 1 hurricane with
sustained winds of 75mph. It did relatively
little damage in this state, but places like
Richmond, VA were devastated by the
epic flooding caused by Gastons rain.

Its hard enough

to make a seven
day forecast
only for the
Lowcountry,
let alone the
number and
intensity of
storms to form
over several
months in the
entire Atlantic
Basin.
The big one is the 25th anniversary
of Hurricane Hugo. It was 12:01am
September 22, 1989 when Hugos eye
roared onto the northern tip of the Isle of
Palms, as a major category 4 hurricane.
The strongest wind gust was measured
at 120mph on a boat anchored in

Georgetown, and the highest storm surge

was just over 20 feet at Seewee Bay near
McClellanville.
Yet another anniversary is that of
Hurricane David, my namesake, and it
was 35 years ago. I witnessed the damage
in Myrtle Beach where sand used to
be and only cliffs down to the ocean
remained. David was the first ever male
named storm name to be retired from the
modern Atlantic naming cycle.
The point is, the most recent of these
hurricanes was ten years ago. When things
arent fresh in someones mind, they tend
to become complacent, or even forget all
together. Also, with the rapid influx of
people calling coastal areas such as the
Lowcountry home in the last ten years,
from other parts of the country, theyve
probably never experienced a hurricane.
Even fewer were here 25 years ago when
the big one hit.
Then theres the matter of preseason
Atlantic Basin forecasts. Last years
forecast was for an active season across
the board. It was a bust; there were only
two hurricanes, and no major, category
3 or higher storms. Its hard enough to
make a seven day forecast only for the
Lowcountry, let alone the number and
intensity of storms to form over several
months in the entire Atlantic Basin.
Prepare like its 1992, and you are a
resident of south Florida. That was a quiet
hurricane season for the entire Atlantic
Basin. That is also the last time a hurricane
came onshore in the United States as a
category 5 storm, Andrew.
Now is the time to make a plan, before
a storm approaches. Know the threats you
face, whether its wind, storm surge, etc.
Have supplies on hand to protect your
family and your property. Often when a
storm is approaching, items that go into
an emergency supply kit become scarce,
possibly unavailable.
Have your trees trimmed; loose
branches can be blown around as missiles
in hurricane force winds. Last, but not
least, when an evacuation order is issued
for your neighborhoodGO! It is very
expensive to evacuate residents, which
means an evacuation order is only issued
when you could be seriously injured or
even worse.