COLUMBIA, SC (AP) -- Hurricane season is almost here, and South Carolina officials want residents to be prepared if the big one hits.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division's 2009 hurricane guide is in newspapers statewide starting Sunday.
The guide includes suggested safety items to keep on hand, evacuation routes and shelter locations.
It also has a special section on Hurricane Hugo, which tore through the state 20 years ago. The storm struck near Charleston and remains one of the most devastating to land in South Carolina.
The Atlantic hurricane season begins Monday and runs through November 30. Forecasters believe it will be less active than last year, when there were 16 named storms, including eight hurricanes.
Gov. Mark Sanford has proclaimed this week Hurricane Awareness Week.
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