Hurricane Season Porta Potty Planning for Lowcountry Jobsites

Hurricane season in the Lowcountry runs June 1 through November 30. The busiest weeks for Atlantic storms land from mid-August into October. A porta potty rented for a summer or fall jobsite will likely sit through at least one storm watch. The storm plan belongs in the rental plan from day one.

The National Hurricane Center tracks the season and posts forecasts at nhc.noaa.gov. Peak activity for the Atlantic comes around early to mid-September.

Before a named storm, we contact every customer with units in the forecast area and agree on one of two plans. Plan one: pump the porta potty, then strap the porta potty to something solid. Plan two: pick the porta potty up and return the unit after roads reopen. An empty standard unit weighs only about 200 lb.

1. Watch issuedWe start calling customers and building the pickup and strap list by route.
2. Pump-out runUnits staying on site get pumped so a tipped unit does not spill waste.
3. Strap or removeUnits get strapped to a post, fence or stake, or loaded and brought back to the Beaufort yard.
4. Trucks parkOur trucks come off the road before winds pick up or when an evacuation order makes driving unsafe.

Strapping works for most sheltered jobsites where the porta potty sits beside a building or solid fence. Pickup is the safer choice on open lots, marsh-front sites, beach-side lots and any spot where storm surge or standing water is likely. A strapped porta potty can still float in deep water, so low ground calls for pickup.

Two days out, a site manager should confirm the storm plan with us by phone and clear a path to each porta potty. Move loose lumber, pallets and trash cans away from the unit. Tell the crew the last day the unit will be on site, and leave the gate unlocked or share the code for our driver.

• Call dispatch and confirm strap or pickup for each unit.
• Clear a truck path within about 25 ft of every unit.
• Pull loose material away so it cannot slam into the unit.
• Leave the gate open or text the gate code.
• Snap a photo of where each unit sits so re-delivery goes to the same spot.

Cleanup crews and debris contractors can get porta potties after a storm as soon as our trucks can reach the site. Debris contractors run large crews, so plan the count with OSHA Table D-1. Use one toilet for 20 or fewer workers, then one seat plus one urinal per 40. Add a hand wash station for debris crews.

The OSHA rule is 29 CFR 1926.51. See our OSHA jobsite toilet guide for the full count chart.

Porta potties can arrive after a hurricane once roads, bridges and the yard are safe to drive. Same-day delivery after a storm depends on road access, not the clock. Downed live oaks, power lines and closed bridges can block a route for a day or more. Calling early puts your site on the first runs once roads reopen.

The bridges between Beaufort, Lady's Island and the sea islands can close in high wind. Our drivers wait for county and state crews to clear the roads before loading trucks.

Storm days pause weekly service until our trucks can safely reach the site. A missed service visit gets made up on the first route day after the storm. Billing stays on the regular 28-day cycle, which is not prorated, so ask about the storm pickup plan when you book a long-term porta potty rental.

Jobsite rentals run on a 28-day monthly cycle with weekly service. If a unit gets picked up for a storm, dispatch sets the re-delivery date with you before the truck leaves.