Tropical disturbance heading to Southeast coast. Will storms hit Hilton Head Island?
While the National Hurricane Center is tracking three Atlantic storm systems, the strengthening tropical disturbance 150 miles east from the northernmost Bahamas is set to bring rainfall, winds and possible scattered thunderstorms to the Lowcountry.
Beginning Friday morning, the disturbance is expected to move onshore, according to the National Weather Service’s Charleston Office. Meteorologist Jonathan Lamb said the service expects rainfall and stronger-than-normal winds, with sustained winds up to 15 mph. Frequent gusts could kick up to 30 mph.
Lamb said rainfall amounts aren’t expected to be significant in Beaufort County, totaling up to an inch Friday.
The hurricane center said Thursday afternoon that it didn’t anticipate needing to initiate advisories for the tropical disturbance and it doesn’t plan on starting the disturbance as a potential tropical cyclone. If the disturbance does strengthen and become more organized, Lamb said the county would get stronger wind speeds.
Tides will be higher than normal, the NWS said, and rip current risks remain in Beaufort County.
Rip currents are forceful currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches and usually extend from near the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
When under certain conditions, the currents reach dangerous speeds and pose a threat to swimmers if they’re pulled offshore and unable to keep themselves afloat.
If you are caught in a rip current, relax and do not try and swim against the rip current. Swimmers should work to swim parallel to the beach, perpendicular to the current in either direction. If a person can’t escape, float or tread water and wave for help. The international symbol for distress is both arms above your head, making an “X” with your arms over and over.
Lamb said the system is expected to be “pretty far” inland and weaken by Friday night.
This story was originally published June 20, 2024 at 1:09 PM.
