Hurricane Milton Local Statement Advisory Number 18

Full Alert Message

Hurricane Milton Local Statement Advisory Number 18 National Weather Service Charleston SC AL142024 1123 AM EDT Wed Oct 9 2024 This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia **HURRICANE MILTON EXPECTED TO BRING WIND AND SURGE IMPACTS TO SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Liberty, and Coastal McIntosh - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Liberty, and Inland McIntosh - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for Beaufort, Coastal Colleton, and Coastal Jasper - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Charleston, Inland Berkeley, Inland Jasper, Long, and Tidal Berkeley * STORM INFORMATION: - About 550 miles south-southwest of Charleston SC or about 470 miles south-southwest of Savannah GA - 25.8N 84.3W - Storm Intensity 145 mph - Movement Northeast or 35 degrees at 17 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall late tonight as a major hurricane along the central west coast of Florida. The system will gradually weaken as it tracks to the northeast across the Florida Peninsula and into the Atlantic Thursday afternoon. Milton will then continue to move further eastward across the Atlantic on Friday. Although Milton will pass well south of the area, significant impacts will extend for several hundred miles from where the center tracks. Tropical storm force winds are forecast to begin impacting coastal portions of the area Thursday morning and continue into Thursday afternoon. Frequent gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible with the highest winds occurring near the coast and on elevated bridges and overpasses. Winds will then steadily weaken through Thursday night. Winds of this magnitude can down or uproot trees and cause power outages. Storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground is possible along the coast, except 1 to 3 feet along the coast of Charleston County, including Downtown Charleston. The greatest potential for inundation could occur with the high tide Thursday afternoon. Additional coastal flooding is possible with high tide cycles Thursday night and Friday. Breaking waves of 5 ft or greater are possible at all beaches tonight into Friday. Breakers could peak around 5-8 ft Thursday afternoon. Significant beach erosion is expected along the entire Georgia coast, and the South Carolina coast up through Edisto Beach. Minor beach erosion is also a concern for the Charleston County beaches, especially Thursday afternoon. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across coastal areas. 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. * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across coastal Georgia and coastal South Carolina south of Edisto Beach. 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. 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: 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 you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. 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.