Hurricane Irma strengthens to Category 4 storm; some models show South Carolina impact

Hurricane Irma has strengthened to a Category 4 storm and additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, the National Hurricane Center reported in its 8 p.m. Monday evening advisory.

But it’s still too early to determine what direct impacts Irma may have on South Carolina and if it will be along the storm’s path. Some models show it hitting the Palmetto State. Others show it going toward the Gulf. Still, other models show Irma crossing the Florida peninsula, where Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Monday evening to prepare for the storm.

The uncertainty hasn’t stopped Beaufort County residents, many still raw from Hurricane Matthew last fall, from starting to plan for a potential evacuation. Some residents have already booked hotels, according to postings on Bluffton/Hilton Head Ask and Answer, an online community forum.

A Category 4 storm has wind speeds of 130-156 mph. Last October, Matthew remained just offshore from Beaufort County as a Category 2 storm and made landfall just north of Charleston as a Category 1 storm.

The NHC defines a Category 4 storm as one in which “catastrophic damage will occur.” This includes well-built framed homes sustaining severe damage, most trees snapped, power outages spanning weeks to possibly months and most of the area remaining uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Tropical weather track

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Source: National Hurricane Center

The NHC forecasts three days out and projections show the storm currently about 450 miles east of the Leeward Islands, moving west at 13 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, up from 120 mph Monday morning.

Irma is moving toward the west and this direction is expected to continue into Tuesday, followed by a turn toward the west northwestward late Tuesday, the NHC reports.

 

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Irma will first barrel through the northern Caribbean, unleashing heavy rain, damaging winds and rough surf.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten, Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy.

A hurricane watch, issued about two days before tropical force winds are expected, is in effect for Guadeloupe, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra.

The NHC recommends that anyone in hurricane prone areas keep an eye on the system, and ensure they have their hurricane plans ready. Here’s a Lowcountry hurricane preparedness guide.

This story was originally published September 4, 2017 at 9:25 AM with the headline "Hurricane Irma strengthens to Category 4 storm; some models show South Carolina impact."