[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Isaias Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 24A
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL092020
222 AM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**ISAIAS WILL BRING IMPACTS TO SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA TODAY AND TONIGHT**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Charleston and Coastal Colleton

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 260 miles south of Charleston SC or about 220 miles
      south-southeast of Savannah GA
    - 29.0N 79.8W
    - Storm Intensity 70 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 345 degrees at 9 mph

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

Tropical Storm Isaias was located just offshore of Cape Canaveral and
is expected to move north along the Florida Atlantic coast early this
morning and off the Georgia coast later this morning. Isaias is forecast
to track north and is expected to either near or move inland along the
central or northern South Carolina coast tonight. Conditions across the
Coastal Empire of Georgia will steadily deteriorate this morning, with
strengthening winds and rain bands reaching the Lowcountry of South
Carolina this afternoon. Conditions are expected to gradually improve
from south to north late tonight.

Isaias will bring tropical storm force winds, torrential rainfall,
storm surge inundation, rip currents, high surf with significant beach
erosion, and possibly a few tornadoes. The risk for hazards appears
the greatest near the coast and offshore. Flooding or flash flooding
may result from the combination of heavy rain and storm surge,
especially during the high tide this evening. There is a potential for
widespread and dangerous flooding to occur in and around the
Charleston Metro Area, especially across Downtown Charleston and areas
near tidal waterways.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Southeast South Carolina into coastal Georgia.
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.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across interior Southeast South Carolina and
Southeast Georgia.

* 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.

* 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.

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

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across portions of Southeast South Carolina, especially across the
Charleston Tri-County area.
    - 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.

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

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


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.

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 AM, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$
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