[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KCHS 300941
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GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-301745-

Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 15
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL102023
541 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**IDALIA WILL BRING WIDESPREAD IMPACTS TO SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND THE
SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY TODAY AND TONIGHT**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch have been
      upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and the Storm Surge Watch has
      been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning for Beaufort, Coastal
      Chatham, Coastal Colleton, and Coastal Jasper
    - The Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch have been
      upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Coastal Bryan, Coastal
      Liberty, Coastal McIntosh, Evans, Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham,
      Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh, Long, and
      Tattnall
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued and the Storm Surge Watch has
      been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning for Charleston
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Candler, Inland Berkeley,
      and Tidal Berkeley

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Beaufort, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Colleton, and Coastal Jasper
    - A Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for
      Coastal Bryan, Coastal Liberty, and Coastal McIntosh
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Evans, Inland Bryan,
      Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh,
      Long, and Tattnall
    - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Charleston
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Inland Berkeley, and Tidal Berkeley
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Allendale,
      Dorchester, Hampton, Inland Colleton, Jenkins, and Screven

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 350 miles southwest of Charleston SC or about 270 miles
      southwest of Savannah GA
    - 29.1N 84.1W
    - Storm Intensity 130 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 18 mph

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

Idalia is forecast to remain a major hurricane, category 4, as it
makes landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida later this morning.
After making landfall, Idalia is forecast to track to the northeast,
passing just inland of the southeast Georgia and southeast South
Carolina coastline this evening through early Thursday morning.

Local impacts from Idalia will begin this morning as bands of heavy
rainfall begin to overspread southeast Georgia and southeast South
Carolina from southwest to northeast. Heavy rainfall is expected to
continue through tonight across the region with 1 to 3 inches of rain
forecast along the coast and 4 to 8 inches forecast for inland
locations. Tropical Storm force winds are expected to develop across
southeast Georgia by late morning, especially along the coast, with
conditions deteriorating through this afternoon and into tonight as
Tropical Storm force winds spread up the coast and into portions of
southeast South Carolina. Hurricane conditions are forecast to develop
as the center of Idalia tracks over portions of southeast Georgia,
the entire southeast Georgia coast, and the lower southeast South
Carolina coast this evening. Tornadoes will be possible across the
area today, particularly along the coast, and waterspouts will be possible
across the adjacent Atlantic coastal waters. Finally, there is the
potential for storm surge this evening through early Thursday
morning along the southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina
coasts, where inundation up to 5 feet above ground level is anticipated.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina,
especially inland of the coast. 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 coastal areas of southeast Georgia and southeast South
Carolina. 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.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across portions of southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina,
especially closer to the coast from around Reidsville to around Savannah,
and around Beaufort. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some window,
      door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage.
      Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage
      accentuated by airborne projectiles. Some locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Danger of death or injury from falling objects and airborne
      projectiles outside.
    - Large trees snapped or uprooted.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded locations. Several bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages, which could
      persist for days.
    - Several secured small craft could break free from moorings.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina, especially
closer to the coast. Potential impacts include:
    - 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.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Prepare for additional coastal hazards along the entire southeast
Georgia and southeast South Carolina coastline including dangerous
rip currents, high surf, and beach erosion.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.

* 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.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.

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 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, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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