AREAS AFFECTED : HAMPTON; INLAND COLLETON; DORCHESTER; INLAND BERKELEY; INLAND JASPER; BEAUFORT; COASTAL COLLETON; CHARLESTON; COASTAL JASPER; TIDAL BERKELEY
HLSCHS
This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia
**TROPICAL DEPRESSION THREE MOVING SLOWLY NORTH TOWARDS THE SOUTHEAST
COAST**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Charleston
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 160 miles south-southeast of Charleston SC
- 30.8N 78.6W
- Storm Intensity 35 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 30 degrees at 2 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
A Tropical Depression off the Southeast U.S. coast will slowly
track towards the Carolina coast today and tonight. As the system
approaches, it could become better organized and strengthen into a
Tropical Storm. The system is expected to track onshore along the
South Carolina coast Sunday morning.
As the system nears the coast, it is expected to interact with an area
of high pressure centered over the Mid Atlantic states, resulting in
gusty northeast winds north of the center of low pressure. Wind gusts
are forecast to remain the strongest along the South Carolina beaches,
with gusts around 40 mph. In addition, wind gusts across the high
bridges of Highway 17 and Interstate 526 may exceed 45 mph at times
today.
Rain bands should push onshore along the coast of the South Carolina
Lowcountry this morning. These rain bands may drift slowly inland as
the system nears the coast today into tonight. It is possible that
showers and thunderstorms could repeatedly pass over the same areas
during this time frame, possibly leading to areas of excessive
rainfall. In addition, heavy rainfall could occur during the late
afternoon high tide today, potentially increasing the risk of flooding
across coastal cities and locations near tidal waterways.
Gusty winds and building waves will result in strong rip currents
along the South Carolina and Georgia coast through this weekend, along
with high surf along the Charleston County coast.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Charleston County. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted,
but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow
rooted.
- Some roads impassable due to debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded locations. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways, especially for high
profile vehicles.
- Isolated to scattered power and communications outages.
Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the South Carolina Lowcountry. Potential
impacts include:
- Localized rainfall flooding could prompt a few rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries could quickly rise with swifter
currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches could
become swollen and overflow in spots.
- Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in normally
vulnerable spots. Rapid ponding of water could occur at
underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several
storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to
overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.
Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.
* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Gusty winds and increasing wave activity will result in strong rip
currents and high surf along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts through this
weekend.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Charleston SC around 11 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.