Isaias live updates: Rain, strong winds arrive in Beaufort County Monday
Last updated: 2:18 p.m. Monday
Just after noon Monday, the main rain bands from Tropical Storm Isaias were sitting on the edge of Beaufort County, National Weather Service Charleston Meterologist Ron Morales said.
At 2 p.m., the storm was moving about 13 mph and was about 115 miles south of Charleston. Its maximum sustained winds remained near 70 mph, with higher gusts recorded. The storm was expected to regain hurricane strength Monday afternoon just before reaching the coast of northern South Carolina.
A 40-mph wind gust was recorded at Folly Island Pier and also from a buoy just offshore of Fripp Island early afternoon, the National Hurricane Center reported in its 2 p.m. briefing.
Tropical storm-force winds were extending up to 125 miles from the center of Isaias.
It was forecast to make landfall near the Santee River Georgetown area late Monday afternoon, with the most extreme weather expected in the Charleston County region, Morales said at about noon.
While the most significant rain and wind gusts will likely have moved through Beaufort County by early afternoon, Isaias will impact the county until 8 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service in Charleston predicts. The entire county is under a tropical storm warning until 4 p.m., according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office has asked all residents to stay inside and refrain from driving.
Rains and wind started between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Hilton Head, in Bluffton, Beaufort and Savannah. Beach conditions have deteriorated, and large waves are crashing amid the falling tide.
Beaufort County will see between two to and three inches of rain, according to Morales. Charleston County could see four to six inches.
The rain may cause moderate coastal flooding in low lying areas with storm surges up to one foot in Beaufort County; the entire county is under a flash flood watch.
Wind speeds are forecast to be between 20 and 40 mph on Monday. Although the highest winds have shifted northward, Beaufort County should prepare for downed trees or intermittent power loss associated with the storm.
Coastal areas will see the highest gusts with wind speeds significantly decreasing as bands move inland.
A handful of businesses and restaurants, including the Beaufort, Lady’s Island and Hardeeville Walmart locations, have announced closures due to the storm. See the full list here.
No evacuation, some bridge closures for Isaias
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has not ordered an evacuation for Tropical Storm Isaias.
No bridge closures have been announced in Beaufort County, although the Sheriff’s Office is monitoring conditions, according to spokesperson Maj. Bob Bromage.
The Georgia Department of Transportation closed the Sidney Lanier Bridge on S.R. 25 in Brunswick-Glynn County at 6 a.m., but it has reopened.
The Talmadge Bridge on U.S. 17 in Savannah-Chatham County was scheduled to close Monday afternoon but remained open at 2 p.m.
Hilton Head has closed its beaches and town parks, including restrooms, for the storm.
Two-foot storm surges are expected between coastal Colleton and Charleston counties. Beaufort County is not under a storm surge warning, although intense rip currents are likely to affect the whole coast.
Bluffton Township Fire District announced Monday that two firefighters and a high-water vehicle have been relocated to the Charleston area to help local emergency management crews respond to Isaias, according to an Instagram post from the department.
The City of Hardeeville announced in a news release it was not opening its emergency operations center in response to the storm. Such centers typically bring all emergency management personnel into one location to share information and direct local response to particularly serious storms.
Isaias’ location
The storm has turned to the north and should continue on a more north/northeast track Monday.
Hurricane-force winds remain confined on the eastern side of the storm track as it passes Myrtle Beach bound for Long Island.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 7:47 AM.
