FIRST ALERT: A Hurricane Warning is now in effect for the majority of the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry! Wind gusts over 74 MPH will be possible this afternoon into the evening.
…HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT… …STORM SURGE WARNING IN EFFECT… A Hurricane Warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours * LOCATIONS AFFECTED – Hilton Head Island – Beaufort – Bluffton * WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 1 Hurricane force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 55-75 mph with gusts to 95 mph – Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early this afternoon until early Thursday morning – Window for Hurricane force winds: early this evening until early Thursday morning – THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74 to 110 mph – The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or 2 hurricane force. – PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed. Prepare for considerable wind damage. – ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous. – POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive – Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Some locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. – Danger of death or injury from falling objects and airborne projectiles outside. – Large trees snapped or uprooted. – Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded locations. Several bridges and access routes impassable. – Large areas with power and communications outages, which could persist for days. – Several secured small craft could break free from moorings. * STORM SURGE – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible – Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 2-4 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas – Window of concern: through early Thursday morning – THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 3 feet above ground – The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Plan for life-threatening storm surge flooding of greater than 3 feet above ground. – PREPARE: Evacuation efforts and flood preparations should soon be brought to completion before conditions become unsafe. – ACT: Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area to avoid being cut off from emergency services or needlessly risk lives. – POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – Areas of inundation of saltwater along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots farther inland near rivers and creeks, with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. – Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in normally vulnerable low spots. – Moderate to major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. – Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. Some navigation aids possibly displaced well off station, creating difficult navigation near inlets and waterways. * FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect – Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts – THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major flooding rain – The flooding rain threat has increased from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. – PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. – ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. – POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive – Major rainfall flooding could prompt many rescues. – Rivers and tributaries could rapidly overflow their banks in multiple locations. Small streams, creeks, canals, ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers could become stressed. – Flood waters could enter many structures within multiple communities; some structures become uninhabitable or are washed away. Flood waters could cover multiple escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. – Drinking water and sewer services could be negatively impacted. – Hazardous containers and materials could possibly be present in flood waters. * TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Situation is favorable for tornadoes – THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several tornadoes – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for several tornadoes with a few possibly intense having larger damage paths. – PREPARE: Those living in manufactured homes or on boats are urged to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. – ACT: Listen for tornado watches and warnings. If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. – POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – Isolated to scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans. – Scattered locations could experience enhanced damage due to tornadoes with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. – Scattered locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: – https://weather.gov/chs – https://ready.gov/hurricanes – http://www.bcgov.net
