Bridge procedures during Hurricane Dorian

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — As the Lowcountry prepares for Hurricane Dorian's impact on Wednesday morning, many are left wondering how to proceed carefully on the bridge.

According to Charleston County's Preparedness Guide (on page 17), when it comes to the bridges and high winds there are two conditions that serve as warnings to the public. These warnings are issued by the Charleston County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC works closely with law enforcement officers to monitor wind speeds.

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The two conditions are as followed.

1.) Condition Yellow

This means the EOC gets reports that winds are at 30 miles per hour and sustained. The public is advised to be extremely careful when driving on bridges with high spans of 65 and up, as well as exposed bridges. Box-type car trucks (UPS trucks), tractor trailers, and motor homes are advised not to drive on the bridges during these conditions.

2.) Condition Red

This means the EOC gets reports that winds are at 40 miles per hour and sustained. The public will be notified that high span and exposed bridges are unsafe to travel on. Anyone who drives over these bridges despite the advisory are doing so at their own risk as law enforcement officers may not be there due to the unsafe conditions.

High span bridges (65 feet high or higher) or exposed bridges in the Charleston County:

Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge

Ashley River Bridges (old and new bridges)

Ben Sawyer Bridge (Sullivan’s Island Bridge)

Breech Inlet Bridge (connects Isle of Palms to Sullivan’s Island)

Cosgrove Bridge (the “North Bridge”)

Dawhoo River Bridge (on Edisto Highway SC 174)

Don Holt Bridge (I-526 over the Cooper River between North Charleston and Daniel Island)

Isle of Palms Connector

James Island Connector

Limehouse Bridge

McKinley Washington Bridge (the “Edisto Bridge”: Hwy. 174 over the Edisto River near Edisto Island)

Stono River Bridge (connects James Island to Johns Island over Maybank Highway)

Wando River Bridge (I-526 over the Wando River in Mt. Pleasant)

Wappoo Bridge (connects W. Ashley to James Island)

Westmoreland Bridge (I-526 over the Ashley River between North Charleston and W. Ashley)

Procedures for draw bridges:

Officials say at 25 mph, draw bridges are locked down to boat traffic.

Draw bridges and swing bridges that can mechanically be opened for tall boat traffic passing from the water, will be locked down to boat traffic when winds reach 25 mph or higher.