[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Ian Local Statement Advisory Number 20
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL092022
1126 PM EDT Tue Sep 27 2022

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**IAN LIKELY TO IMPACT SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA
MID TO LATE WEEK**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Beaufort, Charleston, Coastal Bryan, Coastal
      Chatham, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty,
      Coastal McIntosh, Inland Berkeley, Inland Bryan, Inland
      Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh, and
      Tidal Berkeley
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Dorchester and
      Inland Colleton

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 570 miles south-southwest of Charleston SC or about 500
      miles south-southwest of Savannah GA
    - 24.9N 82.9W
    - Storm Intensity 120 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 10 mph

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

Hurricane Ian will slowly track northward across the eastern Gulf
of Mexico and Florida through Thursday then approach coastal portions
of Georgia and southern South Carolina Friday. Although the storm will
weaken as it moves farther north into Georgia and South Carolina
through the weekend, significant impacts from coastal flooding, heavy
rain, and tropical storm force winds are likely across the region. A
few tornadoes will also be possible. The worst conditions should
remain along the coast. The combination of storm surge inundation and
heavy rainfall could produce areas of considerable flooding,
especially Friday. In addition, dangerous marine and surf conditions
as well as significant beach erosion are expected.

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

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across south coastal South Carolina and north coastal Georgia.
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.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia.

Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across across mainly coastal portions of Southeast South Carolina
and southeast Georgia. 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.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across inland portions of Southeast South Carolina
and Southeast Georgia.

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across coastal areas of Southeast South Carolina and Southeast
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.
    - 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.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across areas away from the coast.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Life-threatening surf conditions, including dangerous rip currents, high
waves, and beach erosion are likely across coastal portions of Southeast
South Carolina and Southeast Georgia.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across mainly coastal portions of Southeast South Carolina and
Southeast Georgia. Potential impacts include:
    - Isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans.
    - Isolated locations could experience tornado damage, along with
      power and communications disruptions.
    - In isolated locations, tornadoes could damage trees, vehicles,
      boats and buildings, especially mobile homes and other poorly
      constructed structures.

Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.

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

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

For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind, falling
trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move, relocate to
a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep roadways open
for those under evacuation orders.

* 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, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

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

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

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!

* 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.

$$
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