Tropical Storm Isaias Advisory #4

TROPICAL STORM ISAIAS ADVISORY #4
August 2, 2020 -- 3:00 pm
 
On Sunday afternoon, officials from the Town of Seabrook Island participated in another countywide conference call organized by the Charleston County Emergency Management Department (CCEMD). During the call, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service (NWS) Charleston Office briefed local officials on the current forecast for Tropical Storm Isaias. The key messages from this update were:

• Tropical Storm Isaias was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm on Saturday evening. Isaias remains a strong tropical system with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. The storm is currently located approximately 350 miles south of Charleston and is moving in a northerly direction at 8 mph. At this time, Isaias is not expected to regain hurricane status as it approaches Georgia and the Carolinas.
• Charleston County is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning. The Charleston region is expected to begin seeing the effects of Tropical Storm Isaias around midday on Monday. Based on the current forecast, tropical storm force winds (39+ mph) are most likely to occur Monday evening and into the early morning hours on Tuesday. Sustained winds of 45-55 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph, are most likely to occur in areas along the coast. Strong winds will have the potential to cause damage to structures, uproot trees and cause power outages.
• Charleston County is currently under a Storm Surge Watch and Flash Flood Watch. Depending on the ultimate timing and track of the storm, high tides and heavy rain may cause inundation on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Coastal flooding and beach erosion are possible along the coast.
• The heaviest rainfall is expected to occur Monday evening and into Tuesday morning. The region may see a total of 3-6” of rain, with higher amounts possible in localized areas.
• Beachgoers should be aware of the possibility of dangerous rip currents. Heavy winds may also cause tents and other beach equipment to become airborne. The town’s Beach Patrol personnel will remain on the beach as long as it is safe for them to do so. (For more information about rip currents, including what to do if you or a loved one is caught in a rip current, please click here for additional information from the U.S. Lifesaving Association.)
• As with any storm, the track of Tropical Storm Isaias remains uncertain. However, the entire coast of South Carolina remains within the “cone of uncertainty.”

 
The Town of Seabrook Island has increased its emergency readiness status to reflect that tropical storm impacts are likely. At 1:30 pm today, the town convened a meeting of its Disaster Recovery Council to discuss continued preparations with community organizations and agencies.
 
At this time, Seabrook Island Town Hall is expected to remain open for regular business hours on Monday (8:00 am to 4:00 pm). If conditions warrant, any change to the operational status of Town Hall will be posted on the town’s website and social media channels.
 
At this time, residents, property owners and visitors are advised to monitor local media outlets for updates on Tropical Storm Isaias. Forecasts are updated regularly on the NHC website at www.hurricanes.gov. Residents, property owners and visitors are also encouraged to review their preparedness plans. Additional resources are available at the following links:

• South Carolina Hurricane Guide
• Seabrook Island Emergency Guide

 
Official updates regarding Tropical Storm Isaias from the Town of Seabrook Island will continue to be posted on the following channels:

• Town WEBSITE: www.townofseabrookisland.org
• Town TWITTER feed: www.twitter.com/seabrookislnd87
• Town FACEBOOK page: www.facebook.com/townofseabrookisland
• Call our TOLL-FREE NUMBER at (888) 314-3177
  

 
In the event of an emergency, please dial 911.

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.
 
The next town advisory is anticipated to be distributed by 3:00 PM on Monday, August 3rd, unless conditions warrant an earlier update.