McMaster: Evacuation order likely to be issued Saturday morning

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Gov. Henry McMaster said Thursday afternoon that he is likely to issue an evacuation order for coastal areas by 10 a.m. Saturday in a document that would include the reversal of eastbound lanes of Interstate 26 from Charleston to Columbia. He said he will decide Friday whether schools will be canceled Monday and Tuesday on Friday. A spokesman with the National Weather Service spoke at McMaster's press conference, saying that Hurricane Irma is expected to travel up the coast of Florida and then hit somewhere between the South Carolina-Georgia coasts. "We will have major hurricane effects along the Georgia and South Carolina coastlines," the spokesman said. "We are looking at hurricane-force winds in the midlands and likely tropical storm-force winds as far as the upstate." The spokesman said destructive winds will be possible across the state, meaning downed trees and power lines. "We will have widespread and long-duration power outages," he said. McMaster advised those who are wanting to leave the state to go now if they area able. "We are prepared at the state level all the way down to the local level," he said. "We are concerned about the people being ready individually. Act like this is coming tomorrow. Do what you need to do now." Around Clarendon County, lines have been seen in grocery stores with folks waiting for water and bread. Local gas stations have limited sales to between $20 and $35 per vehicle.