9/28/2022 11:12:00 PM until 9/29/2022 7:15:00 AM

This product covers the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA **IAN LIKELY TO BRING SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS TO THE MIDLANDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE CSRA IN GEORGIA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch 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 450 miles south of Columbia SC or about 410 miles south of Augusta GA - 27.5N 81.4W - Storm Intensity 90 mph - Movement North-northeast or 30 degrees at 8 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Cyclone Ian has made landfall in southwestern Florida. The storm will continue to slowly track northward across the Florida Peninsula into Thursday morning, then move back over the western Atlantic through Thursday night before approaching coastal portions southern South Carolina on Friday. As the storm moves farther north into South Carolina through the weekend Friday into Friday night, significant impacts from heavy rain, and tropical storm force winds are likely across the region. The heavy rainfall could produce areas of considerable flooding, especially Friday into Friday night. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas, destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA. * WIND: Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia 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. Also, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA. * TORNADOES: Little to no additional impacts are anticipated at this time across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * 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 5 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.