Chris upgraded to hurricane. Still off NC coast. Here's what to expect in Lowcountry

Tropical Storm Chris was upgraded to a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The storm is moving to the northeast away from the coast of the Carolinas.

A coastal flood and rip tide advisory has been issued for Beaufort County by the National Weather Service Charleston. The advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The advisory states up to one half foot of saltwater inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines. It states this could result in some roads becoming impassible.

Rip currents could remain a concern through the rest of the week, the advisory states.

"Swell energy associated with this system and onshore winds could produce an elevated risk of rip currents along the Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia coasts Wednesday," the advisory states.

Hurricane Chris' maximum sustained winds were 85 mph, with higher gusts and the storm was moving northeast at 10 mph as of 5 p.m., according to the hurricane center.

The storm is expected to strengthen through Wednesday night, the hurricane center said.

As of Tuesday evening, Chris was located about 205 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and was forecast to further accelerate toward the northeast on Wednesday and Thursday.

Carl Barnes, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said beachgoers should expect swells in the 2-3 foot range. Swells normally are 1-2 feet in the summer, he said.

"The rip currents that we are getting are from Tropical Storm Chris," Barnes said. "We will see more frequent rip currents and stronger rip currents as well."

The weather service also warned of the possibility of minor salt water flooding around the time of the Tuesday evening high tide.

"The winds from Chris are going to elevate tides even more," Barnes said. "It's not storm surge per se, ... but it is still by and large influenced by the storm."

Minor coastal flooding could occur during the afternoon or evening high tide cycles each day into the weekend, the forecast said.

Swells generated by Tropical Storm Chris also are expected to affect portions of the coasts of North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic states during the next few days. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Meanwhile, the remnants of Beryl were producing gusty winds and areas of heavy rain over portions of central and eastern Hispaniola, and the adjacent Atlantic and Caribbean waters.

That system is expected to move west-northwestward across the rest of Hispaniola on Tuesday and then over the southeastern Bahamas.

Meteorologists don't expect redevelopment during the next day or so, but conditions will be more conducive later in the week.

The chance of formation in 48 hours is 20 percent, and the chance of formation over the next five days is 50 percent, the forecast said.

Beaufort County forecast

Tuesday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind around 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind around 10 mph.

Thursday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

This story was originally published July 10, 2018 at 10:40 AM.