[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Isaias Local Statement Advisory Number 22
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL092020
149 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**ISAIAS TO BRING A NUMBER OF IMPACTS TO THE GEORGIA COASTAL EMPIRE
AND SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Inland Bryan,
      Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, and Inland
      McIntosh

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Beaufort, Coastal
      Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty,
      Coastal McIntosh, Dorchester, Inland Berkeley, Inland Bryan,
      Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh,
      and Tidal Berkeley
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Charleston and Coastal Colleton

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 410 miles south of Charleston SC or about 370 miles
      south-southeast of Savannah GA
    - 26.9N 79.6W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 8 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm Isaias located just offshore of Southeast Florida
will move north just offshore of the eastern coast of Florida through
tonight. Isaias will then move north and eventually northeast near or
over the Georgia and southeast South Carolina coasts Monday into
Monday night. Conditions will begin to deteriorate as early as Monday
morning across the Georgia Coastal Empire and Monday afternoon across
the South Carolina Lowcountry before improving from south to north
Monday night.

Tropical storm force winds, heavy rainfall, coastal inundation, strong
rip currents, and high surf are expected to lead to dangerous
conditions, especially near the coast and offshore. Flooding from a
combination of heavy rain and storm surge could become significant,
especially Monday night around the time of the evening high tide.
There is a potential for widespread, dangerous flooding to occur in
and around the Charleston Metro Area, including Downtown Charleston.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia
along and east of I-95, especially in the Charleston Tri-County area,
including Downtown Charleston. Potential impacts include:
    - 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.


* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across tidal portions of Charleston and Colleton Counties, including
Downtown Charleston. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - 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.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts elsewhere across tidal portions of Southeast South Carolina
and north coastal Georgia.

Elsewhere across Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across the South Carolina coast, including eastern portions of the
Charleston Tri-County. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Travel by vehicle or on foot increasingly difficult. Danger of
      death or injury from falling objects such as trees or electric
      wires outside.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines, which could persist for hours
      or days.
    - Some poorly secured small craft could break loose from their
      moorings.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across interior Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Dangerous rip currents, high surf, and significant beach erosion are
expected along coastal portions of north Georgia and southern South
Carolina, especially Monday and Monday night.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across eastern portions of the Charleston Tri-County. Potential impacts
include:
    - 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.

Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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