Weather Alert in South Carolina

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued July 5 at 11:20AM EDT by NWS Charleston SC

AREAS AFFECTED: Hampton; Inland Colleton; Dorchester; Inland Berkeley; Inland Jasper; Beaufort; Coastal Colleton; Charleston; Coastal Jasper; Tidal Berkeley

DESCRIPTION: HLSCHS This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia **TROPICAL STORM CHANTAL WILL APPROACH THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST TONIGHT** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Charleston * STORM INFORMATION: - About 140 miles south-southeast of Charleston SC - 31.1N 78.7W - Storm Intensity 40 mph - Movement North or 10 degrees at 1 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Chantal will meander closer to the Southeast U.S. coast today and tonight, making landfall along the middle and upper South Carolina coast Sunday morning. As Chantal nears the coast, breezy northwest winds will occur as the system interacts with high pressure to the north. Wind gusts are forecast to remain the strongest along the South Carolina beaches, with gusts around 40 mph possible. In addition, wind gusts across the elevated bridges around the Charleston Metro area may exceed 45 mph at times today. Rain bands will push onshore along the coast of the South Carolina Lowcountry this morning and continue into tonight. These bands may drift slowly inland as the system nears the coast bringing as much as 1 to 2 inches of rain. The rain may become locally heavy at times, resulting in flooding, mainly in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Heavy rainfall could occur during the late afternoon high tide, potentially increasing the risk of flooding across coastal communities and locations near tidal waterways late this afternoon into early this evening. This includes Downtown Charleston. Widespread flash flooding is unlikely at this time. Nearing landfall, there is a chance of waterspouts forming within these rainbands over the nearshore Charleston waters and potentially moving onshore over extreme northern Charleston County through tonight into Sunday morning. Gusty winds and building waves will result in strong rip currents along the South Carolina and Georgia coast through this weekend. In addition, beach erosion and high surf with breakers of 4 to 6 feet could occur along the beaches of Charleston County. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Charleston County. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. - Some roads impassable due to debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded locations. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways, especially for high profile vehicles. - Isolated to scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the South Carolina Lowcountry. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding could prompt a few rescues. - Rivers and tributaries could quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches could become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in normally vulnerable spots. Rapid ponding of water could occur at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS: Gusty winds and increasing wave activity will result in strong rip currents and high surf along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts through this weekend. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across extreme northern Charleston County. 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: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of others. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * 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 5 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

INSTRUCTION: N/A

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