[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 14
National Weather Service Columbia SC  AL102023
1105 PM EDT Tue Aug 29 2023

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

**Hurricane Idalia Continues to Strengthen in the Eastern Gulf of
Mexico**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Bamberg, Barnwell, Burke, Calhoun, Central
      Orangeburg, Clarendon, Northwestern Orangeburg, Southeastern
      Orangeburg, and Sumter
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Aiken, Columbia,
      Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, McDuffie, Richland, and Richmond

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bamberg, Barnwell,
      Burke, Calhoun, Central Orangeburg, Clarendon, Northwestern
      Orangeburg, Southeastern Orangeburg, and Sumter
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Aiken, Columbia,
      Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, McDuffie, Richland, and Richmond

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 480 miles south-southwest of Columbia SC or about 420
      miles south-southwest of Augusta GA
    - 27.7N 84.5W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement North or 10 degrees at 18 mph

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

Hurricane Idalia is forecast to track northward across the eastern
Gulf of Mexico while strengthening to a major hurricane overnight, then
make landfall 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 the eastern Midlands. 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 the western Midlands and CSRA.

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the
Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA.
Potential impacts 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.

* 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
No evacuations are currently ongoing across the Midlands or CSRA.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* 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 6 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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