King Tides in the Charleston Area July 13-14

King Tide is a commonly used term describing high tides that are higher 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, as well as the Johns Island and Charleston areas. This is particularly true when a king tide coincides with significant rain and/or wind.

The next dates of the predicted King Tides are July 13-14.

Continue reading “King Tides in the Charleston Area July 13-14”

Early Summer Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 2026

Hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. Now is the time to prepare, before we even receive warnings that a hurricane is imminent.

Prepare your home and yard:

  • Clean out the ground floor of your home. For suggestions, click here.
  • Inspect and secure your property. Click here for details.
  • Obtain sandbags. Click here for locations.
  • Fill the propane tank and have it inspected for hurricane readiness. Click here for details. 
  • Gather and protect important documents. Click here for ideas.
  • Buy storm supplies. Click here for suggestions.
  • Make sure your pets’ shots are current and microchip data is up to date.

Protect your treasures:

  • Pack up stored items into plastic containers with secure lids.
  • Consider digitizing photos and family videotapes.
  • Move documents and rarely worn jewelry to a safe deposit box.
  • Back up computer photos and files to the cloud or an external hard drive. 

Prepare for a possible insurance claim:

  • Take a video of your home’s contents with your cell phone.
  • Check coverage levels concerning any renovations or new acquisitions.
  • Gather receipts and model and serial numbers of high-priced items. 

Our Hurricane Hints can be accessed at any time on the Tidelines website. Use the Hurricane Hints dropdown menu.

Remember, be prepared, stay safe.

–Tidelines Editors

King Tides in the Charleston Area June 14-16

King Tide is a commonly used term describing high tides that are higher 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, as well as the Johns Island and Charleston areas. This is particularly true when a king tide coincides with significant rain and/or wind.

The next dates of the predicted King Tides are June 14-16.

Continue reading “King Tides in the Charleston Area June 14-16”

2026 Hurricane Season Begins June 1

Seabrook Island has been spared from the worst of nature’s wrath for the past several years. It is important to remember that the potential for many weather-related emergencies, including floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes, is ever-present.

As we approach the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, now is the time to plan and prepare for the possibility of a hurricane affecting the Lowcountry.

Tidelines will again provide a series of articles outlining steps you can take to prepare for a weather emergency. The first two articles will provide checklists of preparations to perform early in the summer and then in mid-summer. The first will appear in mid-June and the other in July. The third article will provide a checklist of actions to take as a storm approaches and will be published if and when needed. The fourth article will address the steps to take for evacuation and sheltering when deemed appropriate and will be published if and when needed. Our entire Hurricane Hints 2026 can be accessed at any time on the Tidelines website. Look for the dropdown menu. This dropdown also includes a comprehensive listing of resources pertinent to hurricanes.

Last, please keep in mind that the Tidelines staff, all volunteers, will make every effort to keep our followers informed of the status of storms, evacuation procedures, and recovery efforts during such an event, assuming we have Internet capability. Please also check the Town of Seabrook Island’s website and watch for SIPOA’s e-blasts. In addition, both the Charleston County Emergency Management Department and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) Hurricane Guide contain a wealth of information on hurricanes.

Remember, be prepared; stay safe.

-Tidelines Editors

Reminder: Disaster Awareness Day May 29

Mark your calendars for Disaster Awareness Day 2026

The Town of Kiawah Island will host Disaster Awareness Day on Friday, May 29, from 10:00 am to noon at Kiawah Island Town Hall, 4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway.

Guest speaker, Mike Lamb, Director of Safety & Security (KICA), will speak about “What It’s Really Like When the Storm Hits.” This year’s keynote speaker, Chief Christopher Way of Charleston County EMS, will present a talk entitled “Leadership During Crisis: Decision-Making in a Major Storm.” A panel discussion will cover how the Emergency Operations Center functions.

The event program will run from 10:00 am to noon. Attendees are invited to arrive at 9:30 am to explore exhibitors’ displays. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Sign up here.

-Submitted by Town of Kiawah Island

(Image credit: TOKI)

King Tides in the Charleston Area May 15-18

King Tide is a commonly used term describing high tides that are higher 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, as well as the Johns Island and Charleston areas. This is particularly true when a king tide coincides with significant rain and/or wind.

The next 2026 dates of predicted King Tides is May 15-18.

Continue reading “King Tides in the Charleston Area May 15-18”

Hurricane Preparedness Week May 3-9

It’s time to start preparing for hurricane season! Although the official start of hurricane season is June 1, 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is urging everyone to begin their preparations now. 

You can take several steps to get ready, such as assessing your risk level, creating an evacuation plan that includes your pets, and discussing your hurricane preparedness plans with your neighbors.

For more helpful information, visit NOAA’s Hurricane Preparedness Week webpage.

Let’s all be ready!

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: NOAA.gov)

Disaster Awareness Day May 29

Mark your calendars for Disaster Awareness Day 2026

The Town of Kiawah Island will host Disaster Awareness Day on Friday, May 29, from 10:00 am to noon at Kiawah Island Town Hall, 4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway.

Guest speaker, Mike Lamb, Director of Safety & Security (KICA), will speak about “What It’s Really Like When the Storm Hits.” This year’s keynote speaker, Chief Christopher Way of Charleston County EMS, will present a talk entitled “Leadership During Crisis: Decision-Making in a Major Storm.” A panel discussion will cover how the Emergency Operations Center functions.

The event program will run from 10:00 am to noon. Attendees are invited to arrive at 9:30 am to explore exhibitors’ displays. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Sign up here.

-Submitted by Town of Kiawah Island

(Image credit: TOKI)

Ceiling Fans in Warm Weather

Warm weather is upon us and summer is around the corner. This is the time to change the direction of your ceiling fan. Turning the fan blades in a counter-clockwise direction will not only make you feel cooler, but it will lower the cost of running your air conditioner. To tell which direction the ceiling fan is turning, stand under the fan, look up and watch the ceiling fan spin. The blades should spin the opposite direction of a clock for summer cooling. You also should feel a breeze while standing under the fan. If you do not feel air movement, the fan is spinning clockwise.

To change the direction of the blades to counter-clockwise for cooling:

Turn off the fan and wait for the blades to come to a complete stop.
Locate the direction switch on the fan housing. Flip the switch. Turn the ceiling fan back on and confirm the direction.

If using a remote, stop the fan. When the blades have come to a complete stop, press the reverse button on the remote.
Turn the ceiling fan back on and confirm the direction.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Clipart Library, delmarfans.co)

King Tides in the Charleston Area April 18

King Tide is a commonly used term describing high tides that are higher 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, as well as the Johns Island and Charleston areas. This is particularly true when a king tide coincides with significant rain and/or wind.

The first 2026 date of predicted King Tides is April 18.

Continue reading “King Tides in the Charleston Area April 18”

Rip Currents and High Surf Warning

On Tuesday morning, April 7, the National Weather Service, issued a warning of dangerous rip currents along our beaches occurring through this evening. In addition, there is a high surf advisory in effect for Wednesday, April 8 beginning at 8:00 am.

Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion may occur. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. It is important not to go into the ocean when there is a rip current warning! Stay safe on the beach. To learn about rip currents, click here.

–Tidelines Editors