Haley: Know Your Hurricane Evacuation Zone

Just two days after Tropical Storm Andrea put the South Carolina coast on alert for flooding and wind damage, Gov. Nikki Haley met with emergency responses officials across the state to review preparedness efforts.

She left those meetings feeling comfortable with the state's readiness, but she said residents need to make plans for an evacuation now, she said.

"This is going to be an active hurricane season, just like every other one," Haley said. "Sometimes we can pray and we're OK, and sometimes we may not be."

She urged South Carolinians to know their hurricane evacuation zone. The zones will be called when state officials believe conditions are right for an evacuation. Follow the latest on the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season on Patch.

Haley said even if the state has a flawless response to a storm, a safe response requires residents taking "personal responsibility."

That includes, she said, determining where your family will seek refuge in the event of a storm. But residents should also develop plans for their pets and their extended family, such as aging parents and grandparents.

"I'm telling you that your state is ready, your local officials are ready," Haley said. "But we need people to understand there is a decision they have to make."