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LIVE: Hurricane Idalia moves in to the Coastal Empire during the afternoon

Andrew Gorton WTOC

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

Idalia live updates: Flooding, lashing winds predicted to hit Beaufort County

UPDATED AUGUST 29, 2023 9:41 AM Tropical Storm Idalia in the Caribbean off the coast of Cuba at 12 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. NOAA National Hurricane Center

IDALIA STRENGTHENS TO A HURRICANE TUESDAY MORNING Updated 8:30 a.m. by Sarah Haselhorst / shaselhorst@islandpacket.com

Early Tuesday morning Idalia strengthened to a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico after it scraped Cuba’s western shoreline, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters expect Idalia will ramp up to a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday morning when it makes landfall along the west coast of the Big Bend region of Florida, the center said. As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, Idalia was about 325 miles south-southwest of Tampa, the center reported. Idalia was heading north at 14 mph, with maximum sustained winds up to 80 miles per hour. In the Lowcountry, a 6 a.m. a Tuesday briefing from the National Weather Service’s Charleston Office reported Idalia would track near the coast as a Tropical Storm late Wednesday morning through Thursday morning. Heavy rainfall, between 4 and 8 inches, flash flooding and storm surge with high tide remained possible effects from Idalia. A moderate-to-high probability of tropical storm force winds remains, especially along the coast, NWS said. Dangerous rip currents, high surf and significant beach erosion are possible. A risk for tornadoes remains for the state’s southeast coast throughout Wednesday. Tropical Storm and Storm Surge watches were in place for Beaufort County on Tuesday morning. Throughout Wednesday, the county will be under a Flood Watch. A rip current statement also remains in place. Watches indicate the threat is possible somewhere within the area within the next 48 hours. “Details regarding the track, intensity, and timing of Idalia are still being refined,” the service reminded. Hurricane Franklin, a Category 4 hurricane, remains “formidable,” however it’s not expected to make landfall again. But its wake still makes for life-threatening surf and and rip currents along the southeast coastline, the National Hurricane Center reported.

Here are the Key Messages for Hurricane Idalia for the Tuesday am advisory. #Idalia is expected to intensify into an extremely dangerous major hurricane before landfall along the west coast or Big Bend region of Florida. More: http://hurricanes.gov

While Tropical Storm Idalia hadn’t strengthened into a hurricane as it moved in the Caribbean Sea, the storm was packing winds of 70 mph Monday afternoon. The National Hurricane Center expects Idalia to move into the Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane that will make landfall in Florida early Wednesday. Forecasters say Idalia’s landfall will be near Horseshoe Beach, a western shift in the track, according to Miami Herald reporting. However, meteorologists said “the track will continue to flip-flop east and west as the storm approaches.” In the Lowcountry, effects from Idalia could be seen as early as Tuesday evening with the height of concern throughout Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service Charleston Office’s Meteorologist Ron Morales. Morales said impacts from Idalia are increasing for the Lowcountry, with wind, storm surge, flooding rain and marine conditions as the main concerns. He added that the area Idalia is headed for in the Gulf is “notorious for rapid intensification.” After Idalia makes landfall, the storm is predicted to cross the “Florida Panhandle through, maybe, the southeast portion of Georgia and then really kind of (scrape) all along our coasts,” Morales said during a Monday evening briefing. However, he warned not to focus on the exact track this far out. According to the current forecast, there’s a potential for 58 to 73 mph winds along the southeast South Carolina coast. Morales said to “at least” prepare for low-end hurricane wind gusts. The greatest impact for storm surge is expected to happen Wednesday night with high tide. In Beaufort County, without the rainfall, high tide will swell to 9.1 feet at about 9:30 p.m. The highest potential shows water above normally-dry ground rising up to 3 feet. “Not everywhere will get the same amounts (of rainfall),” Morales said. “Some may get lucky and the winds are offshore … during high tide Wednesday evening. So not everybody will experience it. Some will get worse than others. We just don’t know where yet.” There is a potential threat for isolated tornadoes, the meteorologist added, but it depends if the storm tracks more inland. The more inland Idalia’s wake is felt, the higher the threat for tornadoes. “Again, these are potentials that we want to prepare for,” Morales reiterated. The State Climate Office’s severe weather liaison Frank Strait wrote in a Monday evening email that how much storm surge will impact the South Carolina’s coast “will depend on the timing, track, and intensity of Idalia” moving through the state. Strait explained that storm surge is a big concern because the area is entering a period of high astronomical tides. According to tide charts via the US Harbors site, Beaufort County’s Wednesday morning high tide will reach 8.2 feet at about 9 a.m. The evening high tide at 9:30 p.m. will swell to 9.1 feet. Thursday morning’s 9:50 tide is predicted to reach 8.6 feet. Those values are without potential rainfall amounts from Idalia. “The bottom line here is that the surge could be worse than forecast and you should be paying close attention to the storm surge forecast for your area if you’re a coastal resident,” Strait wrote. TROPICAL STORM, STORM SURGE WATCHES TRIGGERED Updated 5:30 p.m. by Sarah Haselhorst / shaselhorst@islandpacket.com Awaiting still-Tropical Storm Idalia, Tropical Storm and Surge watches were triggered for Beaufort County at 5:07 p.m. Monday. A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline is possible somewhere within the county within the next 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service. As of Monday early evening, peak surge inundation was between 2 and 4 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. The service outlined Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning as windows of concern. Storm surge flooding can damage buildings near the coast, roads, marinas, docks boardwalks and piers. Peak rainfall amounts will accumulate between 3 and 6 inches, with locally higher amounts, the NWS said. Streets and parking lots could become flooded, and drinking water and sewer services could be negatively impacted. “Water will be the big issue for the Carolinas from #Idalia Rainfall + Surge + King Tides, and don’t forget #Franklin is still sending swells towards the coast as well,” wrote Charlotte, North Carolina, meteorologist Brad Panovich in a Facebook post. The rainfall totals are really high here & with onshore flow & surge water trying to move out of rivers runs into the surge. Water levels are going to be high.” Panovich warned residents in flood-prone areas to begin making plans to move inland or to higher ground. A Tropical Storm Watch indicates that tropical storm-force winds are also possible within the next 48 hours, the National Weather Service said. The NWS predicted peak winds could reach 45 to 60 mph with gusts to 70 mph. The window of concern was Wednesday afternoon until early Thursday morning. Hazardous winds can cause roof and structural damage, snapped or uprooted trees, airborne projectiles, impassable roads, and power and communication outages. A rip current statement is also in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday. RAINFALL, WINDS BIGGEST CONCERN Updated 11:40 a.m. by Sarah Haselhorst / shaselhorst@islandpacket.com Monday morning, Tropical Storm Idalia brewed near the western tip of Cuba on Monday morning, with the forecasters predicting the storm to soon strengthen to a hurricane, and had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. Beaufort County could get between 4 and 8 inches of rain, strong, gusty winds, flooding, dangerous rip currents and severe erosion could pummel the Lowcountry beginning Wednesday evening, according the National Weather Service Charleston Office. During a Monday morning National Weather Service Charleston Office briefing, Meteorologist Steven Taylor said Lowcountry weather conditions will begin to “steadily deteriorate” Wednesday and peak in the evening and into early Thursday. “If the winds stay onshore and the system ends up being slower, the risk for coastal flooding and significant impacts will increase along parts of the Georgia coast and linger even longer up in the lower South Carolina coast,” Taylor said. The “big concern” from Idalia’s wrath will be rainfall and freshwater flooding, which when considering the already-high tides, could devolve into “major flooding,” Taylor said. Marine conditions, including dangerous rip currents that are currently rippling along the southeast coast, will also be of concern. Beaufort County was at a moderate risk for flash flooding and potential tornadoes throughout Wednesday, according to the local service Monday.

Read more at: https://www.islandpacket.com/news/weather-news/article278705294.html#storylink=cpy

From the US National Weather Service Charleston SC

…STORM SURGE WATCH IN EFFECT…

…TROPICAL STORM WATCH IN EFFECT…

A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED

– Hilton Head Island

– Beaufort

– Bluffton

* WIND

– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Strong Tropical Storm

force wind

– Peak Wind Forecast: 45-60 mph with gusts to 70 mph

– Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Wednesday

afternoon 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

– PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or

2 hurricane force.

– PREPARE: Efforts to protect life and property should now be

rigorously underway. Prepare for considerable wind damage.

– ACT: Act now to complete preparations 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: Wednesday afternoon until 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

– PLAN: Plan for life-threatening storm surge flooding of

greater than 3 feet above ground.

– PREPARE: Storm surge flooding preparations should be

underway. Assemble disaster supplies and know your

evacuation route.

– ACT: Leave if evacuation orders are given for your area.

Failure to heed evacuation orders may result in the loss of

your life.

– 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:

– Peak Rainfall Amounts: 3-6 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

– 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 somewhat favorable for tornadoes

– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL

FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY:

Potential for a few tornadoes

– PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a

few tornadoes.

– PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to

tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before

hazardous weather arrives.

– ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter

quickly.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited

– Isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency

plans.

– Isolated locations could experience tornado damage, along

with power and communications disruptions.

– In isolated locations, tornadoes could damage trees,

vehicles, boats and buildings, especially mobile homes and

other poorly constructed structures.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:

– https://weather.gov/chs

– https://ready.gov/hurricanes

– https://scemd.org

– http://www.bcso.net

– https://BlufftonFD.com

#BTFD#SCWX#Idalia#TropicalStorm

Please continue to prepare for tropical storm conditions to effect our area tomorrow into Thursday.

Updates will be provided as they are made available by US National Weather Service Charleston SC.

August 29, 2023 at 8:30 am

Overnight, Idalia has strengthened into a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.

As of 7 am today, Tuesday, August 29, 2023, Idalia was 85 miles north of Cuba and 370 miles south-southwest of Tampa, moving north at 14 miles per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour.

Forecasters advise that “areas of flash and urban flooding, some of which may be locally significant, are expected across portions of the west coast of Florida, the Florida Panhandle, and southern Georgia Tuesday into Wednesday, spreading into portions of the eastern Carolinas Wednesday into Thursday.”

Hilton Head Island remains under a Tropical Storm Watch, which, according to the National Weather Service, means “Tropical Storm conditions, including winds of 39-73 mph, pose a POSSIBLE threat to a specified coastal area within 48 hours.”

Impacts to our area are expected Wednesday into Thursday. Those impacts may include tropical storm force winds 39-73 miles per hour, 6-8 inches of rain and 2-4 feet of storm surge.

Flooding on Hilton Head Island is expected, especially in low-lying areas prone to flooding.

We urge you to be prepared for this storm, as well as other severe weather events and emergencies.

For more information on preparedness, please visit our Hurricane Center or the SC Emergency Management Division at https://hurricane.sc

Remember to follow official government sources for your information on Tropical Storm Idalia.

The Town will continue to provide you with updates on Tropical Storm Idalia. Our next update will be tomorrow, Tuesday, morning.

To follow developments with Tropical Storm Idalia, visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at www.nhc.noaa.gov.