Tropical Storm Elsa Update

Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 11 a.m.

The Charleston VAMC catchment area is currently under a tropical storm warning. Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to impact our area from Hinesville, GA to up south of Myrtle Beach, SC beginning this afternoon and throughout Thursday morning. Impacts in the form of heavy rain, gusty winds, and perhaps an isolated tornado or two, could arrive Wednesday night into Thursday morning. In the downtown Charleston area, be prepared for potential flooding due to the possibility of several inches of rain falling in a short amount of time.

VAMC STATUS:   The VAMC is currently under normal operations. We are monitoring flooding potential in downtown Charleston in the early morning on Thursday, July 8. Services can assess patient needs and utilize VA Video Connect (VVC) when appropriate for appointments tomorrow morning. All inpatient, surgical and procedural operations will continue as scheduled and we are not cancelling patient appointments.

CBOC STATUS:  All CBOCs are currently under normal operations. We are monitoring conditions in Georgia to potentially convert our Hinesville CBOC and Savannah CBOC late afternoon appointments to VVC based on patient needs.

EMPLOYEE STATUS:  All employees should report to work for their scheduled tours of duty at the VAMC and all clinics. To ensure the continuity of VA operations ALL Charleston VAMC employees are considered essential and are required to report to work regardless of any emergency situation. This means that in the event of a weather emergency, if an employee’s workstation is open, employees are expected to report to work. Staff should make arrangements to leave home early enough to be at work on time, and staff will remain on station until their relief arrives to work. At this time, a decision has not been made on authorizing ad hoc telework for non-clinical staff. Employees should review facility and service line Severe Weather Emergency Preparedness plans and make plans to ensure the safety of their families, including making the appropriate accommodations for childcare if daycares and camps are closed. Employees affected by the storms who wish to take leave should coordinate leave requests following their department’s procedures.  Additional information will be communicated as it becomes available.  Follow Charleston VAMC on Facebook and Twitter for the latest in facility status updates. 

PATIENT STATUS:  Patient appointments will be held as scheduled today, July 7, and tomorrow, July 8 at the VAMC and all CBOCs.