Charleston Mayor Asks Folks to Please Leave Town

ABC News

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg says that although the city that draws millions of tourists a year is known widely for its hospitality, he wants everyone to leave town as Hurricane Matthew approaches.

City officials warn that the heavy rains and storm surge from Matthew could combine to cause flooding worse than the floods the city saw a year ago.

During a news conference Thursday, Tecklenburg asked residents to pack up what they need, secure their property and get out of town.

City officials say that the first rains from the storm are expected to move in late Friday and conditions will deteriorate into Saturday.

Police Chief Greg Mullen warns that at the height of the storm, police and emergency personnel will be pulled off the streets and there won’t be the usual rapid response to 911 calls.