[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KCAE 291517
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GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115-116-135>137-292330-

Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 12
National Weather Service Columbia SC  AL102023
1117 AM EDT Tue Aug 29 2023

This product covers the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA

 **IDALIA IS EXPECTED TO BRING IMPACTS TO THE REGION WEDNESDAY THROUGH
THURSDAY MORNING**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bamberg, Clarendon,
      and Southeastern Orangeburg

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bamberg, Clarendon, and
      Southeastern Orangeburg

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 690 miles south-southwest of Columbia SC or about 630
      miles south-southwest of Augusta GA
    - 24.6N 84.8W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement North or 5 degrees at 14 mph

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

Hurricane Idalia is forecast to track northward across the eastern
Gulf of Mexico while strengthening through tonight. Idalia is forecast
to make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend region of
Florida Wednesday morning. After making landfall, Idalia is expected
to track over southeast Georgia and just inland of the southeast South
Carolina coastline Wednesday evening through early Thursday morning.

Local impacts from Idalia will begin as early as Wednesday morning as
heavy rainfall begins to overspread southeast Georgia and southern
South Carolina. Heavy rainfall will then continue through Wednesday
night across the region with 3 to 7 inches of rainfall forecast, with
locally greater amounts possible. Tropical Storm force winds, along
with isolated tornadoes, will be possible across the eastern Midlands
by Wednesday afternoon and into early Thursday morning.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across central SC and eastern GA. Potential
impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
      ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
      destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
      increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
      control systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover 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.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across central SC and eastern GA.

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the eastern Midlands. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

Elsewhere across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east
central Georgia CSRA, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across the eastern Midlands of SC. Potential impacts
include:
    - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
      of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
    - 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.
      Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the eastern Midlands of SC.

Elsewhere across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east
central Georgia CSRA, little to no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH PHASE - Traffic is expected to increase on area roadways if
evacuations are ordered for the coast, creating longer travel times.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the
storm.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near 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.

There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information from the state of South Carolina see scemd.org
- For information from the state of Georgia see gema.ga.gov

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Columbia SC around 5 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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