South Carolina braces with toilet paper and whiskey

Roger Pinckney is a longtime resident of a South Carolina island that Hurricane Matthew could submerge but, even so, he refused to heed the state's evacuation orders, saying on Friday he only lacks in whiskey and toilet paper.

Pinckney is one of about 100 residents on Daufuskie Island who have stayed put as the Category 2 hurricane has approached, bringing torrential rainfall and a huge storm surge.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley told a news conference on Friday that the state's barrier islands were the biggest concern to emergency officials ahead of the storm's approach. In particular she highlighted the danger to the historically rich Daufuskie Island near the border with Georgia.

"It is going to be under water," Haley said.

She said holdouts on the island had refused to leave despite the danger.

The governors of Georgia, North Carolina and Florida have also issued evacuation orders. Federal and state emergency officials could not immediately say how many people might have stayed put despite calls to get out.

Most of the roughly 400 residents on the Daufuskie Island, 3 miles (5 km) offshore, heeded evacuation orders and left, Haley said.

Pinckney, a 70-year-old writer, said in a telephone interview his house was built on marine dock pilings with hurricane straps and tie-downs. He has stored 200 gallons (760 litres) of propane in an underground tank for his generator and has access to a water cistern.

"I built the house so I wouldn't have to go," Pinckney said. "I'm a little short on whiskey and toilet paper but other than that, I'll be fine."