Evacuation
Emergency Evacuations
Here to Serve You Safely
Once the Governor gives an executive order for evacuation, Coast RTA becomes part of the Horry County Emergency Preparedness initiative and begins transporting residents from the designated zones to the local shelters. Depending on the strength and speed of the approaching storm, evacuations could begin 24-72 hours prior to landfall. This is a FREE service provided by Coast RTA as the transportation partner during emergency preparedness efforts.
For Horry County Emergency Operations, please call (843) 915-5150. For Georgetown County, please call (843) 545-3273.
General Evacuation Tips
During evacuation, all Coast RTA rides end at officially designated emergency shelters. Return trips will only stop at the hurricane shelter evacuation designated pickup points. When using Coast RTA for transportation to the local shelters, look for the temporary blue and white hurricane evacuation bus stop signs to designate the pick up location.
For details on Coast RTA’s operations and service to these evacuation bus stops/pick up locations, please call Coast RTA’s Customer Service at (843) 488-0865.
Shelter Tips:
If an evacuation order is given, area schools will be opened as American Red Cross Shelters in Horry and Georgetown Counties. Coast RTA is the responsible party for public evacuations once an executive order is issued.
Should residents or visitors need the local shelters, there are a few tips:
- Expect that shelters may be crowded.
- Shelters DO NOT accept pets.
- Shelters ARE NOT designed for comfort, but for your safety.
- Residents will need to take their own supplies such as batteries, bedding, identification, toiletries, clothing, etc.
- Shelters do not accept guns, alcohol or animals.
- Residents needing shelters to accommodate special medical needs should call 1-855-472-3432 (DHEC Careline for Special Medical Needs Shelter Requests ONLY) to inquire about accommodations.
Evacuation Tips:
- Please do not bring excess belongings or pets on the bus. Seeing eye dogs or trained personal assistant animals are permitted.
- Leave seats near the front for elderly or disabled riders.
- Move promptly to the first available seat.
- Turn off your personal listening device, or use headphones.
- No eating or drinking is allowed on the Coast RTA bus.
- Coast RTA will evacuate passengers to shelters designated by the Horry County Emergency Operations Center. Return transportation to the original pickup points will also be provided.
- Coast RTA is not responsible for articles left on the bus. Please keep your belongings with you. If you find something on the bus, please give it to the operator to turn into Lost & Found. Lost & Found can be reached by calling (843) 488-0865 during normal business hours.
For shelter information, please reach out to the American Red Cross at (843) 466-0020. For traffic and road conditions, please call SCDOT at (888) 877-9151.
For up-to-the-minute storm information, visit noaa.org or weather.com