CAROLINA FOREST, S.C. (WPDE) — A re-entry announcement was made on Sunday afternoon, informing previously evacuated residents in the Carolina Forest area that it’s safe to return to their homes.

ABC15 spoke with a resident who got to return home after staying at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center, which served as a shelter for evacuated residents.

Residents leaving the shelter said they’re thankful for the community response and for the hard work first responders are doing to keep residents out of harm’s way.

Megan Smith, who lives in a community called The Farm, was at the shelter since 9 a.m. on Sunday. She said getting evacuated was surreal.

“My mom called me and was like, hey, just a heads up, we may be evacuated over the next couple hours or so. I get off of work at about 8 o’clock and go to sleep, and then 1 o’clock gets around and police officers are knocking at our door telling us to evacuate,” Smith explained.

She said she slept at a nearby gas station in her car until they heard about the recreation center, and said her son’s safety was her priority.

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“It was scary and difficult because he’s never been through anything like this, it’s his first one so just making sure he gets to safety,” Smith said.

Smith let ABC15 follow her from the shelter to her home for the first time after the evacuation orders were set in place. She said she’s relieved to just be able to go back home.

“Feels good, finally be able to go to bed. eat some food… sleep!” She said.

South Carolina Regional Chief Operation Officer of The Red Cross, Michael Hesbach, said the shelter at the recreation center will remain open overnight in the case of flare ups or if anyone feels uncomfortable in their homes.