According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Idalia is expected to make landfall along the Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning as a major hurricane. After landfall, Idalia is forecast to track along the coast of southeastern Georgia and South Carolina coast as a Tropical Storm.
The Town of Seabrook Island is expected to experience impacts from Idalia over the next 24-48 hours. The NWS has issued a Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watch and Flood Watch for portions of the Georgia and South Carolina coasts, including Seabrook Island. The greatest impacts are expected to occur Wednesday through Wednesday evening.
The NWS reports increasing confidence in both the track and threat levels posed by Idalia. The NWS has advised that the following impacts are possible in our area:
- Tropical storm force winds and wind gusts are possible, especially along the coast. There is a potential for low-end hurricane force wind gusts along the immediate coast, especially in southeastern Georgia and Atlantic nearshore waters.
- Storm surge inundation of 2-4 feet above ground level is possible. The surge will be very dependent on exact storm track, intensity and timing. The highest water levels are likely to take place on Wednesday evening, particularly during the Wednesday evening high tide cycle.
- Rainfall flooding is likely across most of the area, mainly Wednesday and Wednesday night. However, NOT all locations will experience flooding/flash flooding.
- Isolated tornadoes are possible across much of area, mainly Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night.
- Dangerous, life-threatening marine conditions are expected across ALL Atlantic waters on Wednesday through early Thursday.
On Tuesday afternoon, Governor Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency in preparation for the potential effects from Hurricane Idalia. The governor’s order directs the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) to coordinate with all relevant state agencies and to be prepared to respond to any requests for state assistance from local officials and county emergency management leaders.
The Town of Seabrook Island remains at OPCON 3 (Normal Operations) and will continue to monitor the storm. It is expected that the town will increase its readiness position to OPCON 2 (Likely Disaster Impacts) on Wednesday morning. Town offices will close at 12:00 pm on Wednesday.
Charleston County Government offices, including the downtown Judicial Center, will close at 1:00 pm on Wednesday and will remain closed on Thursday.
The St. Johns Fire Department will respond to all calls as long as it is safe for their personnel to do so. Calls may need to be prioritized based on conditions. The department will have a high-water vehicle on-island and ready to assist as needed.
Seabrook Island Beach Patrol will be on the beach on Wednesday; however, personnel and equipment will be withdrawn once conditions become unsafe. Beach Patrol advises that strong currents and high surf are likely. Residents and visitors are advised to stay out of the water until the storm has passed.
Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) administrative offices and the Lake House will close at 12:00 pm on Wednesday. All contractors must secure their job sites and must leave the island by noon on Wednesday.
The Seabrook Island Club has advised of its plan to close all amenities beginning at 8:00 am on Wednesday. Golf courses and the Island House will close at 3:00 pm on Wednesday. All Club amenities will be closed on Thursday.
Berkeley Electric Cooperative has advised the town that it is continuing to monitor the forecast for Hurricane Idalia and is preparing for a storm response within its service area.
Residents, property owners and visitors are advised to monitor local media outlets for updates on Hurricane Idalia. Forecasts are also updated regularly on the National Hurricane Center website at www.hurricanes.gov.
Residents, property owners and visitors are also encouraged to review and be ready to implement their hurricane preparedness plans. Additional resources may be found on the town’s website.
In advance of anticipated storm impacts, residents and visitors are encouraged to secure or remove outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and other materials, which may be blown by the wind.
Residents and visitors are also strongly encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel on Wednesday evening, especially when tides will be the highest between 6:30 pm and 10:30 pm.
Property owners and managers with rental guests should forward this information to their rental guests. Owners and managers of commercial establishments are also encouraged to share this information with their employees.
-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island