Hurricane Matthew Could Hit South Carolina Hard

Hurricane Matthew is barreling toward the United States after making landfall in the northern Caribbean on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Category 3 hurricane is expected to make landfall first in Florida, then move its ways up north along the East Coast, stopping just short of major impact in North Carolina before turning off back into the Atlantic. That means the last stop on its voyage is likely to be South Carolina, which is currently working to keep the citizens of the coastal state safe. Hurricane Matthew predictions for South Carolina don't look great, but state officials are already implementing a plan to keep everyone safe.

Nearly a quarter of the state's population, over 1 million people, are currently being evacuated away from the state's coastal region. During a press conference Tuesday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley told reporters that predictions of 5 to 7 foot swells were likely in those coastal regions, and that those swells are typically one of the main causes of casualties in a hurricane. Residents were warned to get more than 100 miles away from the coast and fill up on gasoline, which is expected to be a precious commodity in the next few days. In addition to these preventative measures, 1,800 members of the National Guard have been mobilized to assist in the procedure and perform any emergency services needed before, while, and after the storm hits.

Haley also stated that school districts in more than half the state's counties will be closed starting Wednesday. The state's largest university, the University of South Carolina, was also closed Wednesday, with tentative closings for Thursday and Friday, causing one huge point of concern for South Carolinians — it doesn't look like the University of South Carolina Gamecocks aren't going to be playing one of their top football rivals, the University of Georgia, in the highly anticipated game on Saturday. "To be honest, everyone's more concerned about if the football game is gonna be moved or not than about the actual hurricane," USC student Gabrielle McBee tells Bustle.

The South Carolina state government seems to be prepared for the worst, which is the ideal level of preparation in such situations. Mother Nature is obviously going to do her thing, but Haley and the state's Emergency Management Division seem prepared to reduce the loss of life and property as much as possible. Although the threats of coastal erosion and loss of property still loom, depending on the strength of the hurricane when it hits, the predictions look a little less grim due to the advanced preparations.