The
Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends texting friends and family rather than calling because phone lines will likely be overwhelmed.
Facebook has activated its Safety Check feature, which gives users in the area of crisis a chance to mark themselves safe. By clicking
here, you can see who on your
Facebook friends list lives in the affected area and whether or not they have indicated that they are out of harm's way.
The Red Cross has a similar site called Safe and Well. There, users have the option to list themselves as safe or search a list of registrants for their loved ones. For those who mark themselves safe, there's also an option to select a message such as "currently at shelter" and "will email when available" or write a custom message that loved ones will see when they search the registry.
How to check if your loved one is safe during Hurricane Michael
The Palmetto SC Region of the American Red Cross will begin opening shelters for Hurricane Michael evacuees.
There are currently two shelters on the list:
-- 3765 Leeds Avenue - North Charleston - Open at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday
-- First Baptist Church of Barnwell - 161 Allen Street, Barnwell, SC - Open at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday
Cots will be available to those who need them, but people should bring blankets, pillows, clothing, medication and other comfort items.
Red Cross opens hurricane shelters in South Carolina