This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia **TROPICAL DEPRESSION THREE MOVING SLOWLY NORTH TOWARDS THE SOUTHEAST COAST** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Charleston * STORM INFORMATION: - About 160 miles south-southeast of Charleston SC or about 160 miles southeast of Beaufort SC - 30.6N 78.9W - Storm Intensity 35 mph - Movement Stationary SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ A Tropical Depression off the Southeast U.S. coast will slowly track towards the Carolina coast tonight into Saturday. As the system approaches, it could become better organized and strengthen into a Tropical Storm. The system is expected to track onshore along the South Carolina coast Sunday morning. As the system nears the coast, it is expected to interact with an area of high pressure centered over the Mid Atlantic states, resulting in gusty northeast winds north of the center of low pressure. Wind gusts are forecast to remain the strongest along the South Carolina beaches, with gusts up to 35 to 40 mph. In addition, wind gusts across the high bridges of Highway 17 and Interstate 526 may exceed 45 mph at times on Saturday. Rain bands should push onshore along the coast of the South Carolina Lowcountry early Saturday morning. These rain bands may drift slowly inland as the system nears the coast Saturday into Saturday night. It is possible that showers and thunderstorms could repeatedly pass over the same areas Saturday afternoon through late Saturday night, possibly leading to areas of excessive rainfall. In addition, heavy rainfall could occur during the late afternoon high tide on Saturday, potentially increasing the risk of flooding across coastal cities and locations near tidal waterways. Gusty winds and increasing wave activity may result in strong rip currents along the South Carolina and Georgia coast through this weekend. The potential for rip currents appears greatest on Saturday. 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 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 may result in strong rip currents along the South Carolina and Georgia coast through this weekend. The potential for rip currents appears greatest on Saturday. 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. * 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 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
