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Hurricane Milton Local Statement Advisory Number 15
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL142024
529 PM EDT Tue Oct 8 2024

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**HURRICANE MILTON EXPECTED TO BRING WIND AND SURGE IMPACTS TO
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for
      Beaufort, Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Colleton,
      Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty, and Coastal McIntosh
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Charleston, Inland
      Berkeley, Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland
      Liberty, Inland McIntosh, Long, and Tidal Berkeley

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 830 miles southwest of Charleston SC or about 750 miles
      south-southwest of Savannah GA
    - 22.7N 87.5W
    - Storm Intensity 165 mph
    - Movement East-northeast or 75 degrees at 9 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall early Thursday
morning as a major hurricane along the central west coast of Florida.
The system will gradually weaken as it tracks to the northeast across
the Florida Peninsula and into the Atlantic Thursday afternoon. Milton
will then continue to move further eastward into the Atlantic on
Friday. Although Milton will pass well south of the area, significant
impacts will extend for several hundred miles from where the center
tracks.

Tropical storm force winds are forecast to begin impacting coastal
portions of the area Thursday morning and continue into Thursday
afternoon. Frequent gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible with the
highest winds occurring near the coast and on elevated bridges and
overpasses. Winds will then steadily weaken through Thursday night.
Winds of this magnitude can down or uproot trees and cause power
outages.

Storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground is
possible along the coast, except 1 to 3 feet along the coast of
Charleston County, including Downtown Charleston. The greatest
potential for inundation could occur with the high tide Thursday
afternoon. Coastal flooding concerns could continue into Friday
afternoon.

Breaking waves of 5 ft or greater are possible at all beaches
Wednesday night into Friday. Breakers could peak around 5-8 ft
Thursday afternoon. Significant beach erosion is expected along the
entire Georgia coast, and the South Carolina coast up through Edisto
Beach. Minor beach erosion is also a concern for the Charleston County
beaches, especially Thursday afternoon.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
coastal portions of southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina.
Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted,
      but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow
      rooted.
    - Some roads impassable due to debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded locations. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways, especially for high
      profile vehicles.
    - Isolated to scattered power and communications outages.

Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the southeast Georgia coast. Potential impacts in this
area include:
    - Areas of inundation of saltwater along immediate shorelines and
      in low-lying spots farther inland near rivers and creeks, with
      storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several
      buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in normally vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Moderate to major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching
      dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents.
    - Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and
      piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings,
      especially in unprotected anchorages. Some navigation aids
      possibly displaced well off station, creating difficult
      navigation near inlets and waterways.

Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

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 on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Charleston SC around 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$