May 2025 – Page 2

Weather Alert: Flooding Possible This Evening

As reported yesterday, we are in the midst of a King Tide event. It is anticipated that the high tide in Charleston is expected to reach 7.1 feet this evening around 7:22 pm, according to the National Weather Service.

The greatest chance for showers and storms is from now until 9:00 pm., some of which could become severe due to damaging wind gusts and brief heavy rainfall, according to the NWS.

A Coastal Flooding Advisory will be in effect from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Flooding can occur 1-2 hours before and after peak high tide.

It is important that you do not drive through standing water. Not only can your brakes get wet and your car become flooded, but you don’t know what the condition of the road is under the water. And please, avoid driving around barricades —they’re there for your safety.

If you come across flooded roads, remember the safety rule: Turn around, don’t drown.

CLOSURE ALERT: The Freshfields Village exit near The Station is temporarily closed due to flooding.

–Tidelines Editors

May 12 Update: Seabrook Island Master Plan

In June, Kuo Diedrich Chi (KDC) will be hosting two in-person Open Houses and one virtual Open House to share their ideas regarding the Master Plan. These are opportunities to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback. Following are the dates for the open houses.

In-Person at the Lake House – Wednesday, June 11 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm

On-Line – Wednesday, June 11 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm * Online attendees must register below.

In-Person at the Island House – Thursday, June 12 from 9:00 -10:30 am

*Click here to register for the On-Line Open House.

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Master Plan

(Image credit: Jeff Davis)

Armadillos Are Back on Seabrook Island!

Armadillos are back on Seabrook Island – but maybe they never left! Several Seabrookers have reported recently seeing them roam around the island.

Armadillos sleep up to 16 hours a day and spend the rest of the time looking for insects such as beetles, ants, and termites. They like to burrow beneath the ground, which can be a problem for homeowners. These burrows protect the armadillo from the summer heat and winter cold. The burrows can run from 4 to 24 feet wide and 5 feet deep, thus causing considerable damage to foundations and sidewalks. You can tell if an armadillo is trying to build a burrow under your house by seeing areas around your foundation that look like something is digging there. Since armadillos have been seen on the island, you should check around your foundation frequently.

To discourage armadillos from digging under your foundation, you can place small rocks in that area. They don’t like to dig through rocks, and this might discourage them from digging around your house. If it doesn’t, you will need to take additional steps.

Reminder: Disaster Awareness Day May 29

Mark your calendars for Disaster Awareness Day 2025

This year, the Town is hosting Disaster Awareness Day on Thursday, May 29, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at The Seabrook Island Club Island House. From noon to 1:00 pm, a free lunch will be provided for those who attend.

We have an amazing lineup of speakers to help you prepare for any disaster that could come our way. The featured guest speaker will be Dana Souza, City
Manager for Sanibel Island, FL. Dana will speak about how Hurricane Ian decimated Sanibel Island in 2022 and how the island continues to recover today. He will have impactful stories to share about how a major hurricane can affect a community.

The new director for Charleston County Emergency Management
Department (CCEMD), Justin Pierce, will speak as well as Chief Ryan Kunizter (STJFD). Both will provide information about the support each department offers to Charleston County during a disaster.

Chief Meteorologist Bill Walsh from Live 5 News will emcee the event.
We hope you all join us this year. With this year’s exciting lineup of speakers, it is sure to be unlike any other Disaster Awareness Day.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

King Tides in the Charleston Area May 25-27

King Tide is a commonly used term describing higher tides than normal. They usually occur during a full or new moon or during specific seasons throughout the year. Charleston’s average high tide range is about 5.5 ft., but during a King Tide event, it can reach 7 ft. or higher.

King Tides can cause flooding in low-lying areas, resulting in road closures on Seabrook Island, Johns Island, and Charleston. This is particularly true when a king tide coincides with significant rain and/or wind.

The 2025 predicted tides are:

May 25 – 27
October 7 – 11
November 4 – 9
December 3 – 6

Remember to clear debris blocking the drains near your home before predicted King Tides, and if your home is prone to flooding, you might want to prepare your ground level for flooding.

Please use caution in areas impacted by flooding. Just 12 inches of water can carry away most cars, and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. Never drive around barricades or on streets where you can’t see the road. Manhole covers may pop up due to the water pressure under the road.

Turn around, don’t drown.

Click here for more information from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.

–Tidelines Editors

Memorial Day Weekend Music on the Green

Kick Off Memorial Day Weekend with a special two-night Music on the Green Concert Series! Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.

On Friday, May 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, head to the Village Green at Freshfields Village for a complimentary, outdoor concert featuring Blackwater Band.

On Saturday, May 24 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, there will be another complimentary, outdoor concert at Freshfields Village featuring Tru Sol.

For more information about the events at Freshfields, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

Memorial Day 2025 Weekend Holiday Hours

Memorial Day is Monday, May 26, 2025

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in our country’s military service, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country.

Let’s be grateful for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America as we spend this weekend with family and friends.

Memorial Day is both a federal and state holiday, thus, banks, post offices, and all non-essential federal and state government offices will be closed.

Click on “Continue reading” for the trash/yard debris schedule as well as local holiday hours.

Mosquito Spraying Tonight

Public Notice

Charleston County Mosquito Control
Spraying is scheduled for overnight
Friday, May 23 – Saturday, May 24

Charleston County Mosquito Control has scheduled a spray truck for Zone K2, which includes the Town of Seabrook Island. The treatment is scheduled to take place during the overnight hours beginning after 11:00 pm on Friday, May 23, and will be completed prior to 7:00 am on Saturday, May 24 (weather permitting).

As a reminder, mosquito treatment requests may be submitted at any time through the town’s website at townofseabrookisland.org.

For more information about the Mosquito Control program, please visit Charleston County Mosquito Control.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Swim Across America Kiawah June 7

Join the Charleston-Kiawah Island Open Water Swim
and Fight Cancer with Swim Across America (SAA).

Swimmers of all ages and levels are invited to take part in the ninth annual Kiawah Island charity swim on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Your participation will help “Make Waves to Fight Cancer” and raise money locally for cancer research at Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina.

The event will take place at Night Heron Park in Kiawah Island. Mandatory check-in is between 6:30 -7:30 am and the event starts at 8:30 am. There will be a post event celebration starting at 10:00 am.

You can be an in-person swimmer, volunteer or come out and support the event The swim options are .5 mile or 1.5 miles. Don’t want to swim in the ocean? There is a pool swim option! Pool swimmers will need to register at the Night Heron Park pavilion and then make their way over to the Night Heron Park pool and swim the distances of their choosing.

The mission of Swim Across America is to fund cancer reasearch, clinical trials and patient programs by hosting charity swims.

For more information about SSA and the event click here.

–Tidelines Editors

Memorial Day Starts Summer Traffic

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer, and we look forward to welcoming family members, personal friends, and summer visitors. As we all know, traffic can get congested at the gate as visitors arrive to spend their summer holiday on Seabrook Island.

Gate pass data shows that the peak hours of visitor arrivals are from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm during the weekend. During those times, visitors passing through the gate may average over 100 vehicles per hour! In addition, this means there will be more than the usual number of cars, pedestrians, and bikers. Please be patient and obey the rules and regulations concerning driving, walking, and biking.

If possible, you may want to plan your trips back to Seabrook Island sometime before or after these hours.

Please advise your personal guests, rental guests, and contractors arriving during operating hours to stop at the SIPOA Daily Pass Location (see below) to obtain their SIPOA gate pass.

Beyond Our Gates Meeting June 25

Beyond Our Gates Foundation of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands was founded by Brian and Karen McDonagh and is dedicated to continuing the humanitarian work of Linda Gadson by providing support and philanthropic avenues for residents of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands to address economic challenges faced by residents of Charleston’s Sea Islands.

To RSVP and for more information about the organization and its philanthropic work click here to visit our website.

-Submitted by Beyond Our Gates Foundation

Keep Up with The Lake House May 21

Activities & Events

Monthly Schedule
The updated May Social Calendar can be viewed by clicking here.

Property Owner Luau – Saturday, May 24 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. All property owners (21 years old and over) are invited to welcome SIPOA newcomers and celebrate the beginning of summer. There will be a pig roast, live band, art show, and complimentary wine and beer. Save the date! No RSVP required.

Art Show – Saturday, May 24 from 1:00 – 6:00 pm at The Lake House.

Living With Alligators – Monday, June 2 at 7:00 pm. The Town’s Environment & Wildlife Committee and SIPOA are holding an alligator information meeting for residents of Seabrook Island. Rebecca Cavalier, SCDNR Wildlife Biologist/Alligator Project, will be presenting, and Steve Hirsch, SIPOA Director of Engineering & Facilities Management, will be discussing how SIPOA handles alligators. The purpose of the meeting is not to make you fear alligators, but to give you information about their behavior, way of life, and how we can safely coexist with them.

Fourth of July 5K Walk/Run – Thursday, July 3 at 8:00 am. Click here for more information and to register. Event shirts are limited, and availability and size are not guaranteed after Friday, June 13. Online registration closes at 8:00 pm on July 1.

Volunteers Needed – Help out at the Fourth of July Walk/Run. Responsibilities may include directing participants on the racecourse, hydration support (water station), and cheering on participants. Contact Jamie Mixson at jmogus@sipoa.org.

Click Continue reading below for information about Fitness Classes, the Semi-Private Series, The Lake House Wellness Services, the Indoor/Outdoor Pools, and the Community Center Pool.