[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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

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

 **Hurricane Idalia is Nearing Landfall in Florida**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 380 miles south-southwest of Columbia SC or about 320
      miles south-southwest of Augusta GA
    - 29.1N 84.1W
    - Storm Intensity 130 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 18 mph

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

Idalia continues tracking north northeast in the Gulf of Mexico
this morning. It is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane in
the Big Bend region of Florida around 8 this 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 begin this 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 4 to 8 inches of rainfall forecast, with locally higher 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:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across the central South Carolina Midlands and CSRA of central Georgia.
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. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.


* 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 11 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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