####018006199#### WTUS82 KCAE 292110 HLSCAE GAZ077-SCZ031-035-037-038-041-135>137-300515- Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 13 National Weather Service Columbia SC AL102023 510 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: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Barnwell, Burke, Calhoun, Central Orangeburg, Northwestern Orangeburg, and Sumter * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bamberg, Barnwell, Burke, Calhoun, Central Orangeburg, Clarendon, Northwestern Orangeburg, Southeastern Orangeburg, and Sumter * STORM INFORMATION: - About 560 miles south-southwest of Orangeburg SC or about 600 miles south-southwest of Sumter SC - 26.1N 84.8W - Storm Intensity 100 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 16 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Idalia is forecast to track northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico while strengthening through tonight. Idalia is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane 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 have been ordered across the Midlands and CSRA at this time. * 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, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near 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. There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly. * 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 1130 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$