Hurricane Preparedness Plan
CAT has the responsibility to coordinate and manage the transportation process if evacuation is directed. CAT has the authority to communicate directly with other transportation providers as designated by CEMA, coordinate all aspects of the evacuation, and direct the distribution of transportation resources based on CEMA’s established priorities.
Emergency Procedures
During hurricane season, all CAT employees are considered to be essential because of CAT’s responsibility to the people of Chatham County.
CAT will continuously monitor the weather situation during hurricane season. If CEMA advises that a hurricane may affect Chatham County, CAT will implement the planning process to prepare for the hurricane. The specific actions will be based on the projected severity of the storm. As previously discussed, CEMA may direct preparations consistent with a greater-than-expected storm severity.
Category 1-2 Storms. A Category 1 or 2 storm may result in the declaration of a partial or voluntary evacuation. After Hurricane Warning and Mandatory-Partial evacuation orders have been issued for category 1-2 storms and local public shelters have been opened, a schedule for public transportation from regular CAT routes to local shelters will be established and announced. There is a possibility that a limited number of local shelters will be opened and only minor service modifications will be needed for a limited duration. Service could be resumed when directed by CEMA after the hurricane passes through the area. Employees required to work during states of emergency within Chatham County shall receive pay only for time worked. Routes and schedules may be modified as required. At the direction of CEMA, service provision will be terminated prior to the onset of gale force winds. Again, a Category 1 or 2 storm may not result in any type of evacuation. Transportation support will be tailored to meet needs based on the situation.
Category 3-5 Storms. A category 3-5 storm will result in a mandatory evacuation. Prior to the evacuation decision, lists will be posted for Operators who are not scheduled to work to sign up to voluntarily operate a bus used for evacuation. When a decision has been made to evacuate, lists will be posted for operators to sign up for the evacuation efforts. The availability of manpower and equipment will determine when an operator will depart.
OPERATOR PRE-STORM
PREPARATION & GUIDANCE
In addition to a reduced schedule, routes will be modified slightly and all bus stops are designated as “Hurricane” stops and will include the Savannah Civic Center, also known as the Evacuation Assembly Area (EAA) to drop off passengers wishing to evacuate once the EAA is open.
Service animals are not required to be in carriers, but owners are required to have the necessary travel food and records. “Service animal” means any animal individually trained to perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
Under no circumstance will CAT provide service to an individual, pet, or service animal who engages in violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct. CAT shall not refuse to provide service to an individual with disabilities solely because the individual’s disability results in appearance or involuntary behavior that may offend, annoy, or inconvenience the operator or other passengers.
Evacuees will be allowed to travel with belongings limited to personal and medical care.
Marine
In the event of a tropical storm, marine personnel will take the following actions to minimize the risk of property damage to the vessels and docks. In any case, ferry service will be terminated before conditions render continued operation unsafe at the discretion of the Assistant COO, Marine Operations.
During heavy rain, the City recommends that the following streets be avoided:
- Fairmont-Hanover-Hodgson
- West Victory at Ogeechee
- Goebel Avenue at President
- East Gwinnett at Skidaway
- West Gwinnett at Stiles (City Lot)
- Whitaker at West 33rd
- Abercorn from DeRenne to Victory
- Habersham from DeRenne to Victory
- Paulsen from DeRenne to Victory
- Reynolds from DeRenne to Victory
- Harmon from DeRenne to Victory
- Bay Street, East of Fell/Brittany
- Fell/Baker/Jenks from Bay St. to Augusta Avenue
- Henry from Cedar St. to Waters Avenue
- Atlantic at Maupas Avenue
- President St. from Gen. McIntosh to Pennsylvania Avenue
- North bound ramp onto the Truman Parkway at Eisenhower.
In Case of a Major Emergency or Disaster
In the event of a major emergency or disaster, such as a hurricane, CEMA will activate warning sirens. Whenever you hear a warning siren, you should go inside and check a TV or radio for advisories.
Should evacuation be required, CAT will continue to run regular routes as long as possible while also stopping at the staging area (Civic Center) on each trip to accommodate those without their own form of transportation for evacuation. Click here to open the CEMA brochure about taking public transportation, bringing pets, and more. To find out when you can return home, call the CEMA Re-entry Hotline: 1-855-880-2362 (toll-free).
The Chatham County Health Department maintains a Functional and Medical Needs Registry which consists of residents who may require medical assistance during emergencies. Those on the registry may need specially trained health care providers, special facilities equipped to meet their needs, and specialized vehicles and equipment for transport. If a hurricane is threatening our area, it is important CEMA and Health Department officials know where the most vulnerable residents are located so that evacuation assistance can be provided to them.
How to Register: Call the Functional and Medical Needs Coordinator at the Chatham County Health Department, (912) 356-2441.
Media Inquires
For media inquiries regarding CAT’s hurricane plan or weather impact, please contact:
A’riel Johnson
Public Information and Communications Officer
912-433-5191