Charleston Faces Disruptions as Tropical Storm Debby Approaches
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Tropical Storm Debby is on its way to making a significant impact in the Charleston area, having recently made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region. Authorities warn that the storm could stall near the South Carolina coast, leading to considerable rainfall and potential flooding throughout the region over the coming days. In light of the expected severe weather, many local businesses, government offices, and schools are announcing closures, cancellations, and changes to operations.
Healthcare Services Adjust Operations
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System has announced that its inpatient care units and Emergency Department will remain open. However, outpatient services will be provided virtually, and some clinics will close early. Specific clinic hours are as follows:
- Trident VA Clinic: Open until 2 p.m., closed through Thursday.
- Goose Creek VA Clinic: Open until 2 p.m., closed through Thursday.
- North Charleston VA Clinic: Open until 2 p.m., closed through Thursday.
Roper St. Francis Healthcare facilities will also see significant changes. Most of the outpatient services will shift to virtual services on Tuesday and Wednesday, with several locations shutting down entirely.
City, County, and Library Services Close
The Charleston County Public Library branches will be closed on Monday, August 5, effectively halting physical services. While the physical bookdrops will remain closed, patrons can still access digital resources during this time. In Berkeley County, all government offices, including Cypress Gardens and Berkeley Animal Center, will close on Wednesday, with everyone expected to return to regular business hours on Thursday.
Public meetings for the city have been put on hold for the remainder of the week, while garbage collection will be expedited on Monday before stopping for Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, Charleston County jury duty has been canceled for the week, and jurors are excused from reporting.
School Districts Shift to Virtual Learning
As tropical storm conditions loom, Trident Technical College will transition to virtual operations from Tuesday to Thursday. In-person classes will be replaced with online learning during this period. Meanwhile, the College of Charleston has canceled all events starting after 5 p.m. on Monday and will remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Other institutions like Charleston Southern University will also make the switch to remote learning beginning Monday afternoon, while all in-person classes and activities will cease. Similarly, Palmetto Christian Academy will close on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Orangeburg County School District is implementing eLearning Days for the duration of Tuesday and Wednesday.
Attractions and Recreation Facilities Temporarily Close
Many local attractions are also responding to the storm. The Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park is temporarily closed, and all related ferry trips are suspended. The Charleston Museum will shut its doors for two days, and ticketed entries to Boone Hall Plantation will remain valid for future visits amidst the closures.
Parks and recreation facilities around Charleston County will close as well, impacting summer camp operations and planned public events. The Charleston RiverDogs have postponed their games scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday with no makeup dates announced yet.
Final Thoughts and Warnings
As the storm approaches, it’s essential for residents to stay informed and prepared. The local government urges folks to monitor updates about the storm’s path and to take precautions against possible flooding. Once the storm passes, assessments will be conducted to determine the extent of damages and when normal operations can resume. Regular updates are expected from local authorities regarding closures, reopening timelines, and safety instructions.
Stay safe and keep an eye on local news sources for more updates as Tropical Storm Debby continues on its path toward Charleston.
