Tropical storm Isaias live updates: Warnings issued for parts of South Carolina
Parts of South Carolina are under a hurricane watch as Isaias makes its way to the state with strong winds and heavy rain possible.
Isaias remained a tropical storm Sunday after being downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane Saturday afternoon but has since regained some strength and is expected to be “near hurricane strength” when it reaches the South Carolina coast Monday night, the National Hurricane Center said in a 5 p.m. update Sunday.
A hurricane watch is in effect from South Santee River in South Carolina to Surf City in North Carolina, and a tropical storm warning in in effect from Sebastian Inlet in Florida to Ocracoke Inlet in North Carolina.
A warning indicates tropical storm conditions are expected in the next 36 hours.
A storm surge warning is also in effect from Edisto Beach to Cape Fear in North Carolina, with 2 to 4 feet of inundation possible, the NHC says.
Tropical-storm force winds — which range from 39 to 73 mph — are expected in some areas starting Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service says.
The strongest winds are expected in the eastern part of the state — between 30 and 40 mph in some areas and 40 to 50 mph in others.
A flash flood watch is also in effect for central and eastern parts of South Carolina from Monday to Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service says.
Isaias is expected to dump 3 to 6 inches of rain on South Carolina, with up to 8 inches possible in some areas, forecasters say
It’s also expected to bring dangerous swells to the Southeast coast over the next couple days, potentially causing life-threatening surf conditions and rip currents. A high rip current risk is in effect for South Carolina beaches at least through Sunday evening, the NWS says.
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” the warning says.
Tornadoes are also possible along the South Carolina coast late afternoon and evening Monday.
Where is the storm now?
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Isaias was about 65 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, and 410 miles south of Myrtle Beach. It was moving north, northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
It’s expected to turn toward the northeast Monday and Tuesday as it picks up speed.
Tropical-storm force winds extend 115 miles from the Isaias’s center.
Changes in the storm’s strength are possible over the next 36 hours but it’s expected to be a strong tropical storm when it reaches South Carolina, forecasters said in the 5 p.m. update.
This story was originally published August 2, 2020 at 6:04 AM with the headline "Tropical storm Isaias live updates: Warnings issued for parts of South Carolina."
