Law enforcement will have Matthew's mindset when the gospel writer recorded Jesus' reasoning in Chapter 11 that anyone heavily laden should be able to seek rest and find it.

Orangeburg County and city law enforcement personnel are keeping a close watch on area merchants who may be considering price gouging should Isabel come calling.

"Merchants should be aware, or if they're reported doing so, they'll have to deal with the consequences," Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office Maj. Barbara Walters said.

As Isabel churned through the waters of the Atlantic on Friday, its winds gusted to more than 160 mph. Forecasters were uncertain late Friday where the Category 5 storm, the worst possible type of hurricane, would strike.

However, police are gearing up not only to maintain a vigil for the rising emergency, but also to keep watch over any unwarranted rising prices in the Orangeburg area.

It is against the law to raise the price of consumables such as hotel lodging, food, gas, water and ice, to name a few.

South Carolina State Code 39-5-145 states in part that an "unconscionable price means an amount charged ... grossly exceeds the average price at which the same or similar commodity, dwelling unit, including a motel or hotel unit or other temporary lodging, or self-storage facility readily obtainable in the trade area during the 30 days immediately before a declaration of a state emergency."

"Basically, unconscionable or unreasonable prices for commodities in the location in question is prohibited," First Circuit assistant solicitor Richard Lackey said. "Simply because of the circumstances, you can't gouge."

In 1999, when Hurricane Floyd barrelled towards the mid-Atlantic states, an estimated 3 million evacuated coastal areas in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Shelters overflowed and traffic backed up for miles.

With such a tremendous influx of people and the need for food, shelter and fuel reaching a straining point, the temptation to gouge increases also.

"It's really unbelievable that somebody would try to take advantage of a dire situation for a couple of dollars," Lackey said. "Especially in a time of crisis."

Walters said deputies will be patrolling area businesses ready to prosecute. A first offense carries a sentence 30 days in jail or up to $1,000 in fines.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516.

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