Thursday storm center for Beaufort Co.: What you need to know ahead of Hurricane Florence

Beaufort County can still expect to see tropical storm conditions this weekend as Hurricane Florence steadily barrels toward the Carolina coast, meteorologists say.

The Category 2 storm is forecast to slow down as it nears landfall and could “linger near the coast,” causing heavy rain and strong winds in the area for extended periods of time, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.

“It’s not expected to make landfall as a major hurricane anymore,” Christina Speciale, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston said. “We’re expecting it to weaken even further to a tropical storm once it enters into South Carolina.”

If you have a storm-related question or information you think would be important or helpful to share with others, please email newsroom@islandpacket.com, comment on this story or direct message us on The Island Packet’s Facebook page or The Beaufort Gazette’s Facebook page.

We will post the answers to each question here and update this list throughout the day.

Bookmark this page for the latest information.

The latest

— When will Beaufort County feel the affects of the storm? What will they be?

— So flooding is possible. What can I do to prepare?

— I’ve got sandbags. How do I best use them?

— Extended power outages possible in parts of South Carolina

— Will they close the Hilton Head bridges if it gets really windy?

— What about downed trees? Is Hilton Head prepared to remove them?

— Has the evacuation been reinstated for Beaufort County?

— I’m thinking about leaving. How’s traffic on I-95?

— What are beach conditions like?

— Why Beaufort Co. should keep an eye on storm surge forecast

— Uncertainty has Beaufort Co. residents stressed out

— Could the evacuation for Beaufort Co. be reinstated?

— Hurricane Florence already causing damage to Beaufort Co. businesses with whirlwind evacuations

The closures

— Are the airports still open?

— What if I need to go to the hospital?

— Which restaurants are open?

— When will trash service resume in Beaufort County?

— When are Jasper County shelters opening?

— What’s happening on Parris Island?

— When will Beaufort Co. schools reopen?

What’s happened here so far

— How many people evacuated Beaufort Co. before order went into effect?

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Traffic

— LIVE: Beaufort County traffic conditions

— LIVE: South Carolina traffic conditions

— LIVE: I-95 traffic conditions

— Cross Island Parkway toll information

Stay ready

— Sign up for mobile news alerts

— Information to store in your phone ahead of the storm

— Sign up here for alerts from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office’s Emergency Management Division

— If you see price gouging, here’s what you should do

— 5 of the most practical pieces of advice Hilton Head has learned from hurricanes

— Is it safe to drink the water you save in your bathtub?

— What should I be doing right now?

— 5 things you need to do when preparing for a hurricane

— Duct tape won’t cut it. Tips for boarding up your windows

— 6 things to have in your pet’s evacuation kit

— Don’t forget your boat. Here’s how to secure it ahead of a hurricane

— How do I know I’m prepared enough?

Weather report

— Livestream of Hilton Head Island beaches

— Tidal charts for the week

— How does Hurricane Florence’s path compare to Hurricane Matthew and Tropical Storm Irma?

— What kind of damage could Hurricane Florence bring to South Carolina’s coast?

— Here’s how to read updates on Hurricane Florence

— Here’s what hurricane categories mean — and how much damage to expect

— Hurricane hazards you should be aware of

— Why ‘storm surge’ is one of the biggest threats to Beaufort County during a hurricane

— Here’s how a storm surge could affect each Beaufort County town

Back in the day and other stuff

— Scientists fly inside the eye of Hurricane Florence

— SC Gov. McMaster was right to call off the evacuation Tuesday

— Close calls, regrets and other stories from those who stayed in Beaufort County during Hurricane Matthew

— Beaufort County seems to be reacting differently to this storm. Why is that?

— South Carolinians have evacuation on the mind. Just ask Google

— Watch As Hurricane Hugo strengthens as it approaches the U.S. East Coast

— Here’s how the Atlantic and eastern Pacific hurricane seasons differ

This story was originally published September 13, 2018 at 7:39 AM with the headline "Thursday storm center for Beaufort Co.: What you need to know ahead of Hurricane Florence."