Tag Archives: Irma

DHEC in the News: Mosquitoes after Irma, Florida nursing home tragedy, swim warnings in parts of Congaree and Saluda rivers

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Here’s a look at health and environmental news from around South Carolina.

Beaufort Co agencies monitor mosquito population after Irma

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV) — Beaufort County Mosquito Control (BCMC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will continue to conduct surveillance for mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases following Tropical Storm Irma.

BCMC anticipates an escalating and significant increase in the biting mosquito populations throughout the Lowcountry.

Florida tragedy highlights challenge for families seeking senior care

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – Medicare records show a “below-average” rating for a Florida nursing home where an air conditioning outage led to the deaths of eight elderly clients.

The deaths are linked to heat conditions that developed at the Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood, Florida in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Hollywood police have launched a criminal investigation into the home’s operations.

A city spokeswoman says fire crews had been called to the facility 127 times over a one year period.

Warnings raised against swimming in Congaree, Saluda

COLUMBIA, SC People are being warning against swimming on parts of the Congaree and lower Saluda rivers after laboratory tests found elevated bacteria counts in the water.

Five spots on the rivers between Saluda Shoals Park and the Rosewood Drive boat landing were found to have bacteria levels above the safe swimming standard, according to a coalition of environmental groups and governments that are jointly checking water quality.

DHEC in the News: Tropical Storm Irma, head lice policy, inspection of Darlington ponds, sea turtles

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Here’s a look at health and environmental news from around South Carolina.

Report coastal damage to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) — A South Carolina state agency is asking its state residents to contact them for storm damage.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is encouraging residents and officials to report Tropical Storm Irma damage to the agency and local building officials.

School Board approves policy changes on first reading

The Aiken County School Board approved several policy changes on first reading at its regular meeting Tuesday, including the Aiken County Public School District’s policies on head lice, staff conduct and professional development.

The policy change concerning head lice would remove the requirement that students be free of nits, or lice eggs, before returning to school.

DHEC does follow up inspection of Darlington ponds polluted with sewage

Darlington, S.C. (WPDE) — The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has conducted a follow-up site visit of two ponds on Race Track Road in Darlington where 700 gallons of sewage spilled into the pond about two weeks ago, according to DHEC Public Information Officer Adrianna Bradley.

Bradley said DHEC was investigating if septic waste from porta potties were dumped into the ponds.

General Interest

Irma erosion likely destroyed one-third of South Carolina sea turtle nests

Those sea turtles are very likely among the last to hatch this year.

That was Sept. 7. Three days later, surf from Tropical Storm Irma slammed the state’s beaches, washing away most of the remaining nests and killing the eggs.

DHEC in the News: Hurricane Irma, opioids, Atlantic sturgeon

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Here’s a look at health and environmental news from around South Carolina.

South Carolina prepares for Hurricane Irma

As South Carolina eyes Hurricane Irma, the Aiken County Emergency Management Division also is meeting this week about the storm in the event it impacts the state.

“We’re just making sure the County is ready,” Aiken County’s Assistant Emergency Manager Fred Wilhite said Tuesday. “We’re having meetings, because right now, it’s hard to predict where it’s going to go.”

Irma prep underway in Dorchester County

With uncertainties surrounding Hurricane Irma’s predicted path, local emergency response agencies are wasting no time preparing for a possible direct strike.

 A Different Dragon: How Fentanyl Has Changed the Opioid Crisis

Between the ages of 17 and 22, Deb Smith was institutionalized 13 times. She calls the time around 2010 and 2011, when she was 18 and 19 years old, her “lowest spot.” The “darkest,” she says.

Even at such a young age, she found herself abusing alcohol and other substances, unable to get clean. She had left school and her parents’ home and was living in foreclosed properties with others who, like her, found their daily lives to be a routine of substance use. After a few months of squatting at one spot, people would kick her out, fed up with her character when she was high. She’d moved on to the next empty house and empty friends. …

For more than a year, opioids became one of the ghosts that haunted the void carved out by her substance abuse disorder.

Feds name critical area for Atlantic sturgeon that includes South Carolina

Federal regulators have designated a sweeping range of coastal rivers as critical habitat for the endangered Atlantic sturgeon — a range that includes South Carolina.

The “critical” designation means that human activity in those waters has to be conducted in a way that doesn’t permanently hurt the fish’s ability to survive.

DHEC in the News: Hurricane Irma, West Nile, swim advisory lifted

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Here’s a look at health and environmental news from around South Carolina.

Significant number of forecasts show Hurricane Irma impacting South Carolina directly

Will Hurricane Irma hit South Carolina?

That’s the question everybody living in the Palmetto State wants answered, especially with daily reminders of the damage inflicted to Texas, and Houston specifically, by Hurricane Harvey.

What you need to know about West Nile

One day after the state confirmed a person in Anderson County has died from West Nile Virus, 7News is looking into what steps are in place to keep you safe.

Myrtle Beach Swimming Advisory Lifted by DHEC

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A section of beach along South Carolina’s Grand Strand is no longer under a swimming advisory, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported Friday.

Hurricane Irma a reminder to create an emergency kit and family disaster plan

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Powerful Hurricane Irma is taking an uncertain path toward the Southeastern United States. Although it’s unknown how South Carolina might be affected, it’s a good time to remember the importance of staying prepared for disasters and emergencies of all kinds.

First and foremost, it’s important to have a plan. DHEC is encouraging all South Carolina residents and visitors to build an emergency kit and have a family disaster plan in place.  Your emergency supply kit should include:

  • A week’s supply of water; at least one gallon per person per day
  • A four-week supply of prescription medications in their original bottles
  • A list of the medical equipment used and the phone numbers of your supplier
  • A first aid kit
  • Insect repellent.

Also, in the case of evacuation, don’t forget to “Know Your Zone.

If you have special medical needs, consult a physician regarding the best place to be during the storm, and make sure that you have adequate access to proper medications, medical supplies and equipment.  American Red Cross shelters and DHEC Special Medical Needs Shelters (SMNS) should be your last resort and used only when no other option is available.

In conjunction with partnering state agencies, DHEC plays a supporting role during statewide emergencies, like tropical storms and hurricanes. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (EMD) is the coordinating agency responsible for the statewide emergency management program.  For up-to-date information about Hurricane Irma visit EMD’s website. You can also follow their tweets, at @SCEMD.

Hurricane season lasts through November 30. To help you prepare for the remainder of the 2017 season, download EMD’s official 2017 S.C. Hurricane Guide. EMD produces the guide in coordination with state, federal, local and volunteer agencies; it includes hurricane preparation tips, coastal evacuation maps, emergency information, tips on returning home after a storm and much more.

For more information about hurricane and disaster preparedness, visit the DHEC website or go to scemd.org.