Officials warn SC citizens to be prepared– just in case (AUDIO)

National Weather Service map predicting Irene's path (NWS)

While Hurricane Irene’s projected path predicts it to move away from the South Carolina coast and hit the Outer Banks, state officials say it is still a good idea to be prepared while they continue to keep an eye on the situation.

Officials closed beaches in the Grand Strand Thursday after rescuing six swimmers caught in riptides.

The coastline from Edisto Island to the North Carolina border is under a Tropical Storm Warning. That means those areas could see strong winds, rip currents, and possible flooding– but will likely avoid the blunt of the storm.

In a Wednesday press conference, Governor Nikki Haley said she would not call for evacuation of the coast unless Irene takes a dramatic turn. Still the governor says she will be monitoring the situation.

“I want sleep until ‘she’s’ back out into the ocean. I’m not letting my guard down at all. if you see me come back out here (Emergency Management Headquarters) for a press conference, then you’ll know something’s up.”

Red Cross Regional Communications Officer Anna Kate Christophillis says citizens should be preparing emergency kits, just in case.

“Water, a three day supply, non-perishable foods, batteries, a radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, prescription medicines, and cash. A lot of people only use their debit or credit cards, but remember if the power goes out you’re not going to be able to go to an ATM.”

IRS media relations specialist Rob Marvin says it is important that persons have a duplicate set of important records secured in a safe place preferably away from the disaster area.

“The records should be duplicated in an electronic format, and kept in a safe place away from the original documents. You want to include things like bank statements, tax returns, insurance policies. You want to download them on a backup storage device such as external hard drive, or DVD, or CD.”

Marvin says it’s also a good idea to have a video or photographic record of your home and its contents that you can leave with a family member or friend outside the disaster area.

AUDIO: Tom Hayes reports: “Be prepared” is the key phrase for a weekend of Irene watching (1:27)

National Weather Service: Hurricane Irene

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