Strong Storm System Will Impact the Area Friday and Friday Evening January 12.

A low pressure system is expected to strengthen while tracking across the Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes region Friday into Friday night. A strong cold front associated with the system will push through the area Friday night. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop Friday into Friday evening, and some of the storms could become severe with damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes. Additionally, gusty winds are expected ahead of and behind the cold front.

TIMING:

Severe Thunderstorms: Friday afternoon into Friday evening
Winds: Friday afternoon into Friday evening
Coastal Flooding: Friday morning high tide occurring around 8:30 AM

HAZARDS & IMPACTS:

Severe Thunderstorms

• Damaging Winds: Wind gusts in excess of 58 mph could damage trees and power lines and result in scattered power outages.
• Tornadoes: Isolated tornadoes are possible

Winds

• Land: Winds 20 25 mph with gusts of 30 40 mph are possible.
• Marine: Winds 20 30 kt with gusts 35 40 kt possible across the South Carolina coastal waters, Charleston Harbor, and offshore Georgia waters beyond 20 nm.

Coastal Flooding

• Minor saltwater flooding is possible with the Friday morning high tide along the Charleston and Colleton County coasts.

Gale Watch for Charleston county nearshore waters late Friday afternoon through Saturday
morning​

SAFETY REMINDERS

• DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES. Emergency calls to 911 should be reserved for life-threatening situations, or for the reporting of a crime or fire.
• SECURE BELONGINGS. Residents should secure outdoor furniture, trash cans, and other materials which may become airborne during high winds.
• STAY HOME. If possible, residents are encouraged to stay off the roads during the storm. Do not attempt to drive through water of unknown depth. Turn around, don’t drown!
• MONITOR LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS. Residents are advised to monitor local media outlets for storm updates and emergency notices.
• REPORT POWER OUTAGES. Power outages may be reported to Berkeley Electric  Cooperative (888) 253-4232 or online at https://www.berkeleyelectric.coop/.