The next time you go across the bridge and down the road, be sure to stop by and see the Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island, especially before they screw everything up with the rumored highway expansion - something that ties right back into Charleston’s urban growth dilemma.

You won’t be sorry you made the short trip, but hurry while the canopy is still full and 1,500 years of nature hasn’t been ruined by man’s reckless abandon.

For those of us not fortunate enough to live on a houseboat, the SCDOT has posted Charleston area evacuation routes in case the need arises for another mass exodus.

This is the most damaging earthquake to occur in the Southeast U.S. and one of the largest historic shocks in Eastern N.A. - USGS

Now that we are in hurricane season, that’s the first natural disaster that most people think of, but don’t forget, Charleston is overdue for a major earthquake too. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what that could do to many areas of the LowCountry. You can see Charleston earthquake projections on the USGS site yourself. Not to scare anybody, but that 100 year map is pretty alarming, especially considering that the last time there was a major earthquake in Charleston was back in 1886, and that’s outside the range of their map!

According to the latest census data out, it’s only getting more crowded around here, so be sure to leave early if authorities say to (avoiding the all day traffic jam my family sat in for Hurricane Floyd), and keep your emergency preparedness kit stocked and ready; you never know when you’re gonna need it!

Now back to your regularly scheduled water sports.

Related: Urban Growth Projections For The Charleston Area

If you think traffic is a problem now, you better start saving up for that helicopter you were longing for. After all, most areas experience urban growth sooner or later, but how state and local governments plan for, and later handle that growth, directly impacts whether that self-fulfilled prophecy “build and they will come” actually ever takes place or not.

To view a slideshow of urban growth projections for the Charleston area, click the link or image provided, but be warned, “you ain’t seen nuttin’ yet!”.

Charleston’s Mayor Riley is now talking about using rail cars to alleviate some of the dreaded highway traffic we see around here every workday. Charleston paying up for the benefit of Mt. Pleasant? Now that’s a sign of the times…

And it’s a good thing too, because when Mt. Pleasant finishes last for walkers in SC, you know it’s time for the local government to get things fixed. I mean, have you ever tried to cross Johnnie Dodds on foot? Good luck!