What's in store for SC/NC?

[wolfray]

Just got in from a long night of work. What is the NHC saying for SC/NC area? Just rain and gusty winds or a trip over the Atlantic then land fall st the SC/NC coast with hurricane conditions? If we are going to have hurricane conditions; I have alot to do....

[nccoastalgirl]

From what I hear, the weather forecast is for mild tropical storm type conditions....mostly on Saturday in eastern NC. You probably just need to bring in the outside stuff in your yard that can blow around, to be on the safe side.

[NC George]

Yeah, I did that today, since I figured that between Bonnie (incidentally her remnants are passing over my house right now) and the pre-Charlie rain that Friday will be a wash-out.

[Derek Ortt]

It all depends upon the landfall location in Florida.

North of Tampa, no hurricane threat, but instead a tropical storm

South of Tampa, a cane

If this ebcomes a cat 4 unexpectedly and hits south of Tampa, then a stronger cane

[Matthew5]

Derek doe's it look like it is going south of there?

[Derek Ortt]

maybe by about 5-10 miles

[bahamaswx]

Slightly south according to NWHHC's latest Charley forecast.

[weatherlover427]

5-10 miles is NOTHING to sneeze at. :rolleyes: Do not write it off just because of a 5-10 mile difference. Anything can happen in that time frame!!!!

[Derek Ortt]

and that is as I said only by about 5-10 miles away from Tampa, which is why my track is not that far offshore (thus, the greater threat is to SC not NC)

[Rieyeuxs]

Thaaaaank you Derek. Just the thing to calm the nerves first thing in the morning...

Where's my coffee....???

[ncbird]

I have been watching Charlie closely for when he makes that turn.... just in case of this scenario.

NCBird
New Bern, NC

[krisj]

What about the Charleston area? We are expecting a Tropical Storm. Need I make any preparations? I have not experienced this yet. Just put the patio stuff away or do I even need to do that? No one seems concerned here. Do I have no need for concern?

[Stormsfury]

What about the Charleston area? We are expecting a Tropical Storm. Need I make any preparations? I have not experienced this yet. Just put the patio stuff away or do I even need to do that? No one seems concerned here. Do I have no need for concern?

Charley will accelerate north and NNE after landfall as the trough picks her up ... The center is progged to come just west of Charleston (with the center passing almost over Summerville or a little west) ... this puts us in the Charleston area on the stronger side of the storm.

What to expect ...

I FULLY expect moderate tropical storm conditions beginning EARLY SATURDAY and into the early afternoon ... winds from 40-60 mph, POSSIBLE hurricane force gusts closer to the coast, inland counties (Dorchester, Berkeley, Inland Charleston) --- winds from 30-50 mph, higher gusts.

Very heavy rains ... rainfall potentials on a general 3"-5" ...

Isolated tornadoes are possible ...

Bring in small objects that are subject to being picked up by the winds .. Our flow will come in off the water before the center passes us to the north, and travel in Downtown Charleston will NOT be recommended due to the poor drainage (you know this during a heavy thunderstorm).

SF

[Brent]

What about the Charleston area? We are expecting a Tropical Storm. Need I make any preparations? I have not experienced this yet. Just put the patio stuff away or do I even need to do that? No one seems concerned here. Do I have no need for concern?

Your under a tropical storm watch and will be under a tropical storm warning later today. Winds of that magnitude can blow things around, there also could be trees down and some power outages.

[AlexiBlue]

Some people are concerned in Charleston. I spent a half hour last night crouched in the bathroom under a tornado warning! And that was just for little ole Bonnie leftovers.

Post & Courier today - lead morning story is that the governor may call for voluntary evacuations of the Southern SC coastal areas at some point today.

Heavy, heavy rain expected here later tonight and Saturday. Tropical Storm & Flood Watches in affect. Winds of 40 to 45 sustained with gusts up to 55. (However, that has been in dispute. Some local weather is reporting the possibility of winds up to 70 MPH). (Most local bridges will probably be closed - especially over the cooper river and the Isle of Palms bridge.

So, bring everything indoors. Have your emergency kit packed and handy. If you are on the barrier islands or in storm surge areas, I would probably go ahead and arrange to be elsewhere late tonight/Saturday. We are expecting a storm surge of up to four to five feet - and it will probably be right on top of high tide on Saturday morning.

Primarily, due to the huge amount of rain we've had lately, expect wind to knock down trees and powerlines (happens a ton here in ANY storm anyway). Also, expect major flooding on the downtown Pennisula as well and roadway flooding all over - especially near the marsh areas and on the islands. Violent lightning and possible tornados are almost a given. (We got a taste of that nastiness last night!)

The thing is, Charleston is just too low-lying. Even "minor" tropical storm like conditions directly over us is bound to cause some pretty ugly stuff.

[Guest]

Here in D.C we're suppossed to have a tropical storm (winds 40-50mph) with gusts up to around 55mph. We're also supposed to get over 5 inches of rain from Charley. We only got 3 inches of rain from Isabelle, howver the winds were sustained at about 55mph and gusts to about 75mph.

[nccoastalgirl]

What about the Charleston area? We are expecting a Tropical Storm. Need I make any preparations? I have not experienced this yet. Just put the patio stuff away or do I even need to do that? No one seems concerned here. Do I have no need for concern?

Usually for a Tropical Storm, I put up the outside stuff so nothing gets blown and ends up damaging something or hurting someone; I make sure I have my prescription medicines filled if needed; I buy the basic food necessities if I'm running low on anything (don't forget your pets); I fill up the car with gas and get some cash; and then I plan on staying put in my home once it gets bad and until the weather passes. I've seen quite a range in weather from Tropical Storms--from nothing at all to "what the heck!!" The tornadoes that spring up are the most unnerving, in my opinion! Hope this helps.

[krisj]

Thanks Stormsfury. Wonder if my kids indoor sports activities will be cancelled. Will it not be safe to drive (won't be going downtown Charleston) on and around HWY 17?
Guess I won't be too worried though.

[krisj]

Thanks guys! I will put all the kids' toys away outside today. Go to the store for milk and such....
I live 100 yards from a tidal creek. Do you think that will flood? I do live in a flood zone, but my house is elevated some.
I read the front page of the paper, but then another article stated how people don't seem to be concerned. Only the "newbies" are buying stuff at the stores.
This midwesterner isn't exactly sure what a storm surge even in! Will the Wando and COoper rivers flood too?

[Stormsfury]

Thanks Stormsfury. Wonder if my kids indoor sports activities will be cancelled. Will it not be safe to drive (won't be going downtown Charleston) on and around HWY 17?
Guess I won't be too worried though.

Play that by ear ... and also just looked at some newer information ... the conditions will likely affect us between early Saturday through Saturday afternoon ...

I'm HOPING that I do NOT have to work tomorrow ... I would have to be at the Post Office tomorrow, and I'm hoping that we wouldn't allow our carriers to be out in this ... rain, sleet, snow, hail ... one thing ... but a full fledged tropical storm is TOO much.

SF