[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KCHS 310318
HLSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-311200-

Tropical Storm Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL102023
1118 PM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**Conditions Improve Tonight As Tropical Storm Idalia Moves Away From The Area**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning have been
      cancelled for Coastal Chatham
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Allendale,
      Bulloch, Candler, Coastal Bryan, Coastal Liberty, Coastal
      McIntosh, Effingham, Evans, Hampton, Inland Bryan, Inland
      Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh,
      Jenkins, Long, Screven, and Tattnall

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Beaufort, Charleston, Coastal Colleton, and Coastal Jasper
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Dorchester, Inland
      Berkeley, Inland Colleton, and Tidal Berkeley

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 20 miles north-northwest of Charleston SC or about 90
      miles northeast of Savannah GA
    - 33.0N 80.0W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 21 mph

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

Tropical Storm Idalia, now centered near Charleston late this
evening, is expected to continue moving northeast and offshore of the
Carolina coastline by Thursday morning.

Surge and tidal levels along the coast of southeast South Carolina
have dropped over the past couple of hours, with the tide gauge in
Charleston Harbor now below flood stage. The Storm Surge Warning north
of the Savannah River will continue for a few more hours, as some
areas continue to see flooding related to surge from this afternoon.

Tropical storm wind gusts will continue along the coastline of
southeast South Carolina, and in parts of Colleton, Dorchester, and
Berkeley Counties through the overnight. Winds will diminish from
southwest to northeast overnight as Idalia moves away from the area.

Heavy rain has ended over the area, though some bands of light to
moderate rain will linger in Colleton, Dorchester, Berkeley, and
Charleston Counties for the next several hours.

Dangerous rip currents and high surf will continue along the South
Carolina and Georgia coast through Thursday.

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

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the southeast South Carolina coast. 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across parts of
southeast South Carolina. If realized, these impacts include:
    - 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event continue to linger across parts
of Southeast South Carolina and coastal Georgia. If realized, these impacts
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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

RECOVERY PHASE - Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have
given the all clear to return.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep
a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.

* 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 EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

KR
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