####018008790#### WTUS82 KCHS 301525 HLSCHS GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-302330- Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 16 National Weather Service Charleston SC AL102023 1125 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: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Beaufort, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Colleton, and Coastal Jasper - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Charleston - A Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Coastal Bryan, Coastal Liberty, and Coastal McIntosh - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Inland Berkeley, and Tidal Berkeley - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Evans, Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh, Long, and Tattnall - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Allendale, Dorchester, Hampton, Inland Colleton, Jenkins, and Screven * STORM INFORMATION: - About 240 miles southwest of Charleston SC or about 160 miles southwest of Savannah GA - 30.6N 83.2W - Storm Intensity 90 mph - Movement North-northeast or 30 degrees at 20 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Idalia made landfall as a category 3 storm near the Big Bend region of Florida earlier this morning. Idalia is forecast to continue tracking to the northeast, passing just inland of the southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina coastline this evening through early Thursday morning. Bands of heavy rainfall will impact southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina today into tonight with 1 to 3 inches of rain forecast along the coast and 4 to 8 inches forecast for inland locations. Conditions will further deteriorate through this afternoon and into tonight as tropical storm force winds develop across southeast Georgia and 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. 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 the southeast Georgia and 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. * 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 a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. 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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$