WARNING
Certain emergency situations will result in alert notifications sent to your mobile devices. These notifications are warnings that can save lives! For the Vineyards and Falls North, triggering events could be wildfires, storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, dam failure or nuclear power facility malfunctions. Although the probability of such an event may be low, it nonetheless warrants preparation. In recent years, residents have received Tornado warnings via "Wireless Emergency Alerts".
In 2016 evacuations were ordered near Table Rock State Park due to wildfires, although none of the evacuation orders affected Vineyards or Falls north residents. In the event of an Evacuation Order, protocols are in place to notify residents with instructions on timing, staging areas and shelter facilities. Communication of such an order would utilize "CodeRED" messaging, television, radio, fire department and sheriff department personnel. "Code RED" is a procedure where businesses and residents would receive a phone call from the command center with instructions regarding the emergency.
In a storm, make sure your phone(s) is CHARGED, VOLUME ON and NEXT TO YOU, especially if you are sleeping. If you have satellite TV and the signal goes out, use your computer, tablet or phone to tune into one of the local stations, like wyff.com or their Facebook site for live updates.
CodeRED Emergency Alerts: The SC Emergency Management Dept. has an emergency alert system called CodeRED, but you will only receive these alerts if you are registered! Notifications will be sent out when a major disaster is imminent or has just occurred, at the request of county emergency managers and various emergency situations requiring you to take personal protective actions.
You cannot assume your phone number is already included in their emergency notification database. For "Code Red" messaging, all land-line phone numbers should already be registered in the county databases. However, you will need to register your cell phone numbers, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) and email addresses. This will insure you are notified even if you area away from your home. Be sure to register unlisted numbers.
To add your own phone numbers directly into the system via the Community Notification Enrollment Page for SCEMD. To sign up for CodeRED Alerts
CLICK CodeRED Here
Wireless Emergency Alerts (like National Weather Service Alerts): Many wireless devices available since 2012 support the ability to receive and present a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA). All new cell (smart) phones come automatically set up for Wireless Emergency Alerts; they are enabled by default on iOS and Android devices...unless you have changed the settings!
The tornado season in the spring is typically when we might get alerts.
On stormy nights, please make sure your cell phone is charged, the volume is turned up and it's on your night table when you go to bed. The alert is a very distinctive sound - be prepared to act quickly if you hear it! To learn more about this national alert service
CLICK Wireless Emergency Alerts.
To check to see if your phone is enabled:
- If you have an Android device, look for the “emergency alerts” option in the settings of your phone's default text messaging app.
- If you have an iphone (IOS) device, in "Settings" find "Notifications" and scroll down to check that Government Alerts is turned on (green).
You can also set up your smart speakers, like Alexa. To set up the feature say, “Alexa, tell me when there's a severe weather alert.”
Alternate Evacuation Route (if Roy F. Jones Hwy is closed)
- After exiting the Vineyards gate:
- Stay on Cleo Chapman Hwy (approximately 6 miles). To stay on Cleo Chapman turn LEFT before the Fire Department
- Turn RIGHT onto Rt. 178, Moorefield Memorial Hwy, for 1.7 miles to the intersection with Hwy 11
- After exiting the Eastatoe gate:
- Turn LEFT onto Roy F. Jones
- Veer RIGHT onto Cleo Chapman Hwy, (Fire Department will ahead and on the left). Stay on Cleo Chapman approximate 6 miles.
- Turn RIGHT onto Rt. 178, Moorefield Memorial Hwy, for 1.7 miles to the intersection with Hwy 11
