The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Eastern Columbia County in east central Georgia... Richmond County in east central Georgia... Southwestern Aiken County in central South Carolina... Southwestern Edgefield County in central South Carolina... Southeastern McCormick County in central South Carolina... * Until 345 AM EDT. * At 1211 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 0.5 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 4 inches in 2 hours. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Aiken, North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Augusta, Belvedere, Clearwater, Martinez, Fort Eisenhower, Hephzibah, Jackson, Midtown, Summerville, Augusta National Golf Club, Glendale, Daniel Field, Augusta Mall, Village Plaza Shopping Center and Augusta Regional Airport. This includes the following highways... Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23. Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 13. Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 189 and 201. Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 15. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a flooded roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown. Flooded roadways are nearly impossible to see at night. Avoid traveling in this area. Turn around, don't drown. && FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED; EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...2-4 INCHES IN 2 HOURS
This product covers the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA **Hurricane force wind gusts possible in the CSRA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Burke, Calhoun, Central Orangeburg, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Columbia, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Lincoln, McCormick, McDuffie, Newberry, Northern Lancaster, Northwestern Orangeburg, Richland, Richmond, Saluda, Southeastern Orangeburg, Southern Lancaster, and Sumter * STORM INFORMATION: - About 330 miles south-southwest of Columbia SC or about 270 miles south-southwest of Augusta GA - 29.9N 83.9W - Storm Intensity 140 mph - Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 24 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene is a large, major hurricane with impacts extending well east of the center of the storm. Helene will track northward across Georgia tonight into Friday morning. Helene's fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States. Rainfall amounts across central South Carolina and east central Georgia are expected to range from 3 to 5 inches in the CSRA to 2 to 4 inches in the Midlands and Pee Dee. Isolated higher amounts are possible. The heaviest rain bands are expected to move in later tonight into early Friday morning. Flash flooding will be possible due to the heavy rainfall. Tropical storm force winds (39 mph) are expected in the CSRA tonight into early Friday morning with gusts up to Hurricane Force strength (74 mph) possible. Tropical storm force wind gusts are expected over central South Carolina. Tornadoes will also be possible with highest confidence along and south of I-20 through Friday morning. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the Augusta Metro Area and the CSRA. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. * TORNADOES: Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having possible extensive impacts across the region, especially south and east of I-20. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed. Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible devastating impacts across the CSRA and south/central Midlands. Potential impacts include: - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Prepare for rainfall flooding having high to moderate impacts across the Midlands and Pee Dee. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information from the state of South Carolina see scemd.org - For information from the state of Georgia see gema.ga.gov NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Columbia SC around 6 AM, or sooner if conditions warrant.
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT... * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Evans * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 60 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Friday afternoon - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force. - PREPARE: Last minute efforts to protect life and property should now be complete. The area remains subject to significant wind damage. - ACT: Now is the time to shelter from dangerous wind. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding - Potential impacts from the main wind event are unfolding. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for extreme flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has increased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for extreme flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. - PREPARE: Urgently consider protective actions from extreme and widespread rainfall flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Tornado Watch is in effect - Situation is favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several tornadoes - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should continue to include the potential for several tornadoes. - PREPARE: Stay within your shelter keeping informed of the latest tornado situation. - ACT: Move quickly to the safest place within your shelter if a tornado warning is issued. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - https://weather.gov/cae - http://ready.gov/hurricanes
...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of east central Georgia, including the following areas, Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie and Richmond and central South Carolina, including the following areas, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Central Orangeburg, Chesterfield, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Northern Lancaster, Northwestern Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Southern Lancaster. * WHEN...Through Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Additional rainfall amounts associated with Hurricane Helene across the Central Savannah River Area are expected to range from 2 to 4 inches. Isolated higher amounts are possible. Rainfall in the Midlands between 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts. The heaviest rain bands are expected tonight into early Friday morning. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 687 UNTIL 8 AM EDT FRIDAY WHICH REPLACES A PORTION OF TORNADO WATCH 684. THE NEW WATCH IS VALID FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN GEORGIA THE NEW WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL GEORGIA BURKE COLUMBIA LINCOLN MCDUFFIE RICHMOND IN SOUTH CAROLINA THE NEW WATCH INCLUDES 16 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA AIKEN BAMBERG BARNWELL CALHOUN CLARENDON EDGEFIELD FAIRFIELD KERSHAW LEE LEXINGTON MCCORMICK NEWBERRY ORANGEBURG RICHLAND SALUDA SUMTER THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AIKEN, AUGUSTA, BAMBERG, BARNWELL, BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, BISHOPVILLE, BLACKVILLE, BROOKDALE, CAMDEN, CAYCE, CLARKS HILL, COLUMBIA, DENMARK, EDGEFIELD, ELGIN, EVANS, JOHNSTON, LEXINGTON, LINCOLNTON, LUGOFF, MANNING, MARTINEZ, MCCORMICK, MURPHYS ESTATES, NEWBERRY, NORTH AUGUSTA, OAK GROVE, ORANGEBURG, RED BANK, RIDGE SPRING, SALUDA, SEVEN OAKS, ST. MATTHEWS, SUMMERTON, SUMTER, THOMSON, WAYNESBORO, WEST COLUMBIA, WILLISTON, WINNSBORO, AND WINNSBORO MILLS.
