On Thursday at 11:15 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated tropical cyclone statement in effect until 7:15 p.m.
The following information is provided by the NWS:
This product covers the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA *Strong winds, tornadoes, and periods of heavy rain are expected from Hurricane Helene late tonight into Friday** CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Burke, Calhoun, Central Orangeburg, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Columbia, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Lincoln, McCormick, McDuffie, Newberry, Northern Lancaster, Northwestern Orangeburg, Richland, Richmond, Saluda, Southeastern Orangeburg, Southern Lancaster, and Sumter STORM INFORMATION: - About 640 miles south-southwest of Columbia SC or about 590 miles south-southwest of Augusta GA - 25.5N 85.5W - Storm Intensity 105 mph - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 14 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene continues to become better organized and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane as it moves northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico today. The hurricane is expected to reach the Florida Big Bend coast this evening. Then, Helene will track northward across Georgia tonight into Friday morning. Helene is forecast to become a very large storm with impacts extending well east of the center of the storm. Helene's fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States. Rainfall amounts across central South Carolina and east central Georgia are expected to range from 3 to 5 inches in the CSRA to 2 to 4 inches in the Midlands and Pee Dee. Isolated higher amounts are possible. Rainfall rates will increase through this afternoon, with the heaviest rain bands expected to move in later tonight into early Friday morning. Flash flooding will be possible due to the heavy rainfall. Tropical storm force winds are possible tonight into early Friday morning over central South Carolina and the CSRA of Georgia. Tornadoes will also be possible with highest confidence along and south of I-20 through Friday morning. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA. Potential impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across the region, especially south and east of I-20. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed. Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll. FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the CSRA and south/central Midlands. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas, destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Prepare for rainfall flooding having possible minor/moderate impacts across the north Midlands and Pee Dee. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * 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 Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding.
NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Columbia SC around 6 p.m., or sooner if conditions warrant.
Source: The National Weather Service
