Tropical Storm Irma ‘tapering off’ but offers a bit more rain — and possibly flooding — to Beaufort County

The good news is, Irma is essentially finished with Beaufort County.

Irma was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm Monday morning as it moved from Florida to Georgia. The Lowcountry is now passing between rain bands after being deluged through Monday morning and afternoon; and in the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. update, the storm’s winds have notably decreased.

The center of Irma is currently 55 miles southeast of Columbus, Georgia, and about 120 miles south of Atlanta. It is moving north-northwest at 16 miles per hour with sustained winds of 45 mph.

“It’s tapering off quite quickly now,” National Weather Service meteorologist Jonathan Lamb said Monday night. The threat of heavy rains is mostly over, and the winds have died down, he said. The area should expect a bit more rain overnight, but the storm is moving on.

The National Weather Service’s storm surge warning and tropical storm warning will remain in effect for Beaufort County through 10 p.m. Monday.

A tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Monday for eight South Carolina counties, including Beaufort and Jasper. Tornado watches are also in effect for several counties in Georgia, including Chatham, Bryan and Liberty, until 10 p.m. Monday.

Tornado watches are also in effect for coastal waters from Charleston Harbor to Savannah.

A flash flood warning issued just after 9 a.m. Monday will be in effect until 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, and a flash flood watch is in effect until 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Peak storm surge arrived in the area between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Monday, and as of 1:42 p.m. Mondya, the tide gauge at Fort Pulaski near Savannah reported a tide of 12.24 feet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, roughly a quarter foot shy of the record set at Fort Pulaski during Hurricane Matthew.

It’s difficult to tell the exact amount of storm surge along Beaufort County’s coastal regions, especially this soon after the storm, but Fort Pulaski’s gauge is the closest to the area and would likely give a decent idea of the surge here. Other variables like the tides, rainfall, and numerous rivers, creeks and other bodies of water can affect the county’s flooding.

Since then, the waters at Fort Pulaski have receded as the storm surge has decreased. But even as the storm surge recedes, there is a good chance Beaufort County hasn’t seen the last of it, according to Bob Bright, meteorologist with the weather service in Charleston.

“From here on out, the storm surge will be lessening, but we’re still expecting a decent amount of surge to still be around when the next high tide comes in,” he said. “It could potentially cause some significant flooding.”

High tide will next hit Hilton Head Island between 1:07 a.m. and 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, while Beaufort will next see high tide at 1:55 a.m. Tuesday. The Weather Service in Charleston issued a release at 6 p.m. Monday confirming that in addition to the normal 8-foot tide, there is the possibility for two to three feet of inundation above normal dry land left over from Monday’s storm surge.

The threat for additional inundation will hit between 10 p.m. Monday and 3 a.m. Tuesday along the entire coastline.

Even as conditions seem to be gradually improving, Bright advised people to remain cautious for the time being.

“We’re still looking at the possibility of tropical storm winds through the early evening. We’re talking 40 mph or greater at times,” he said. “There’s still some rain bands coming through that could produce heavy rain or even tornadoes or flash floods. There’s still a multitude of hazards, so don’t let your guard down quite yet.”

Click here to see live reports of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort as Irma hits.

“Tybee Island is already seeing 45 mph sustained winds, and hurricane level gusts are possible throughout the day,” James Carpenter, a Charleston Weather Service meteorologist, said early Monday morning.

He also said that since hitting Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, Irma has become dramatically less organized. That organization is what caused sharp peaks and declines in the storm. Beaufort County will not see such drastic changes in intensity as Irma passes by.

“Conditions are basically at their strongest point now,” said Carpenter just after 11 a.m. Monday. “There might be some slight increases in wind and rain intensity going into the next several hours and early this afternoon, but then things will gradually taper off.”

Carpenter said that as afternoon becomes evening conditions should slowly improve in the Lowcountry some time between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday as Irma moves off.

Latest radar of Irma

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Source: National Weather Service

As of 7 p.m. Monday, over 28,000 Beaufort County customers were without power, according to utility reports.

Latest tropical storm view by satellite

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Source: National Hurricane Center

What happened in Beaufort, Jasper County

Irma was expected to bring heavy rains — with between six and eight inches anticipated — as it passed through the Lowcountry on Monday, according to Charleston Weather Service meteorologist Blair Holloway. A storm surge of between four and six feet was possible, building to a peak Monday between approximately 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

“High tide is around noon today in Beaufort County, and you should expect to see dangerous storm surge around then,” Carpenter said Monday.

Heavy rains and high storm surge mixed on Monday to increase the probability of dangerous flooding, including flash, river and coastal flooding. Punishing tropical storm force winds have also caused damage to power lines, personal property and trees; and power outages should be anticipated throughout the area.

Beaufort County was seeing the northeastern side of the storm, which exposes the area to higher winds and greater tornado potential.

A statement released by Jasper County Emergency Services at 7:30 a.m. Monday advised against all unnecessary travel due to deteriorating conditions and road hazards caused by high winds. A similar statement was issued by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office a little before 9 a.m. Monday.

The Sheriff’s Office statement reported wind gusts of 60 mph throughout Beaufort County and said that conditions were expected to get worse later Monday morning into Monday afternoon. Due to those high winds, the McTeer Bridge in Port Royal was closed.

Expected impacts from the National Weather Service in Charleston

TIDES & STORM SURGE: Tide levels have been decreasing since the early afternoon high tide, but will again increase this evening with the midnight high tide. Inundation water levels of up to around 3 feet above typical dry ground are possible between 10 p.m. Monday and 3 a.m. Tuesday.

HEAVY RAIN: Heavy rainfall has fallen across much of the area today, and some additional heavy rain is possible this evening, mainly north of I-16. Any additional heavy rainfall will only worsen the ongoing flooding.

RIVER FLOODING: Major flooding is forecast this week for the Canoochee River at Claxton, Ga. Minor to moderate flooding is forecast on other rivers starting this week. River Flood Warnings are valid for Claxton, Reidsville, and Jamestown.

WINDS: Wind gusts of up to 40 to 50 mph will be possible into the evening along the coast with gusts up to 45 mph possible inland, especially within rain bands. The winds will diminish later this evening. Downed trees and tree limbs may produce additional power outages and could block some roads. Heavy rain and saturated ground will increase the potential for downed trees.

MARINE: Life-threatening winds and seas will continue tonight. Tropical storm force wind gusts and very high seas will continue this evening, and then gradually subside.

TORNADOES: Isolated, brief tornadoes are possible this evening, mainly north of I-16.

Evacuations

Evacuations ordered by McMaster took effect Saturday morning at 10 a.m. for Daufuskie, Fripp, Hunting, Harbor and Hilton Head islands, but did not include Lady’s and St. Helena islands. People who have left the evacuated islands will not be allowed to return until the order has been lifted.

For those not under an evacuation order, McMaster advised seeking shelter and remaining in place until the Irma passes. The governor also pledged thorough inspections of state bridges and other facilities following Irma to ensure the safety of residents in stricken areas.

This story was originally published September 11, 2017 at 7:27 AM with the headline "Tropical Storm Irma ‘tapering off’ but offers a bit more rain — and possibly flooding — to Beaufort County."