SIPOA UPDATE
THE FOLLOWING IS BASED ON THE LATEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE
CALL 911- NOT THE SECURITY GATE – FOR ANY EMERGENCY.
The Town of Seabrook Island has provided new information following their calls with the National Weather Service and Charleston County Emergency Management Department today.
- Strong winds of 35-40 mph, gusting to 50mph, will begin tonight through Monday.
- Tornado risk is elevated on Monday afternoon.
- Heavy rain of 4-8″ is expected beginning Monday morning.
- Storm surge during high tide periods is anticipated, and a Storm Surge Watch has been issued for the coastline from Isle of Palms south. The surge may result in damage to docks, homes, boats, other structures, and landscaping along waterways or in the surge area.
- It is likely power will be shut down in anticipation of flooding.
- Seabrook Island Road between Town Hall and the traffic circle is subject to storm surge, and it is anticipated that it will be flooded beginning midday Monday. The road may be impassible for standard height vehicles for 24 hours or more.Additional Island Information:
- The effects of the wind and storm surge appear greater than originally forecast. Due to the unanticipated conditions, SIPOA will make several changes to operations outlined in our earlier posts.
- NOTE: Residents who are on-island may not be able to access or leave the island if Seabrook Island Road is flooded.
- Due to access issues for employees and Security Officers, the Gatehouse will be CLOSED from 10 am Monday to 8 am Tuesday. There will be no contractor access on Monday morning or on Tuesday until Security resumes normal operations.
- If you plan to remain on-island during the storm surge we recommend that you obtain whatever necessities you need this afternoon.
- If you are driving on-island during the storm surge period, anticipate that 50-70% of SIPOA roadways will have some level of water from approximately 10 am Monday to midday Tuesday.to mid/late afternoon. For your safety, do not drive through high water areas. Turn around! Security cannot assist with stranded vehicles.
- Be aware that road closures are possible. In addition to the Seabrook Island Road access to the island, localized flooding is likely at Seabrook Island Road at the intersections of Little Creek/Baywood, Embassy Row Way (Marsh Pointe), the causeways at Marsh Haven and Marsh Gate, Wood Duck (Lake Gorski), The Lookout, approximately 100′ feet in front of the Gatehouse, and other low-lying areas.
- Rip currents are very strong and beach conditions may become treacherous. For your safety, do not enter the water.
- If you need to move your car to higher ground, the Lake House parking lot is one of the higher points on the island. Residents can park there until the surge passes. The parking lot has not been subject to flooding in the past, but SIPOA cannot guarantee that it won’t flood in this event.
SIPOA Operations:
- The Lake House will be closed all day Monday and will resume operations no earlier than 10 am on Tuesday if conditions allow for staff access to the building.
- The SIPOA Admin Office will be staffed until 10 am on Monday and will reopen on Tuesday if conditions allow access.
- Garbage will be picked up tomorrow morning. Our contractor, Priority-1, has agreed to service Seabrook Island first thing tomorrow. They are bringing an extra truck and will be finished and off the island before 12:00 noon. Please be sure your trash is out curbside NO LATER than 7:00 am, and please bring your can in immediately after it is emptied so it does not become a projectile later in the day if the wind picks up. We will update on yard debris pick-up later today in our evening update.
More updates to follow.
Stay safe!
-Submitted by Heather Paton, Executive Director