By Staff Reports
Hurricane Idalia has hit Florida’s coast and is currently projected to hit Beaufort County on Wednesday afternoon. Follow us live for updates on the storm and local closures as Hurricane Idalia heads toward the Lowcountry.
If you have photos, videos, reports of closures and damage, please feel free to reach out to theislandnews@gmail.com or through our Facebook page. Please do not put yourself in harms way to get photos or videos. Be smart and stay safe!
This story will be updated.
IDALIA DOWNGRADED TO A TROPICAL STORM
Updated 5:19 p.m.
Idalia is now a tropical storm after making land in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane and spent most of the day as a Category 1 hurricane as it worked it’s way across Georgia and toward South Carolina.
As of the 5 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Idalia is about 40 miles west of Savannah, Ga. and about 115 miles west-south-west of Charleston, S.C. with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
The hurricane warning along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina has been changed to a tropical storm warning.
Beaufort is still under a storm surge warning and a tropical storm warning.
DHEC CLOSES SHELLFISH BEDS
Updated 4:38 p.m.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closing shellfish harvesting beds from Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County north to Edisto Island in Charleston at sunset today, August 30, due to Hurricane Idalia.
“When a hurricane warning is issued by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, we are required to close shellfish beds within the area,” said Mike Marshall, manager of DHEC’s Shellfish Sanitation Section. “DHEC will send notification once the area is reopened for shellfish harvesting.”
For more information on clam and oyster harvesting areas in the affected area, call DHEC’s Beaufort County Environmental Affairs Office at 843-846-1030 or the Charleston County Environmental Affairs Office at 843-953-0150. Learn more about DHEC’s Shellfish Sanitation Program at scdhec.gov/shellfish.
JASPER SHELTER IS OPEN
Updated 4:31 p.m.
Jasper County Emergency Services has opened and is staffing the Jasper Shelter located at Ridgeland High School, 250 Jaguar Trail, Ridgeland, S.C. Anyone who may need a place to shelter from the storm is welcome. Please bring personal hygiene products, bedding items, any necessary medications, a food supply, and identifying documents. This shelter is a pet-friendly shelter. Anyone who may need information related to the shelter is encouraged to call 843-726-4421.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND MAYOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
Updated 4:27 p.m.
In anticipation of impacts from Hurricane Idalia, Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry has declared a local state of emergency for Hilton Head Island beginning today, August 30 and continuing through Sunday, September 3.
“This storm has the potential to be dangerous. To ensure the safety of our residents and our community, I find it necessary to take this step so we can begin to implement appropriate measures to protect us from the impact of Hurricane Idalia before it strikes our area and to prepare us to deal with any of the aftereffects,” said Mayor Perry. “Hurricane Idalia is an imminent threat to life, health, public safety, and general welfare of the entire geographic area of the Town of Hilton Head Island and its residents. Emergency measures are necessary to cope with the existing and anticipated dangers presented by Hurricane Idalia.”
A local state of emergency provides the Town Manager, Emergency Manager and Recovery Coordinator the authority to execute emergency management plans to prepare for and respond to any impacts brought on by Hurricane Idalia. It also grants the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office the authority to enforce any curfews, re-entry and any other short-term measures related to the Hurricane Idalia.
Additionally, Beaufort County Council Chairman Joseph Passiment has declared a state of emergency for Beaufort County beginning today, August 30 and to continue through Sunday, September 3. This is a precautionary measure that will help with funding and services if there are catastrophic damages as a result of Hurricane Idalia.
HURRICANE IDALIA WEAKENING
Updated 4:24 p.m.
Hurricane Idalia is losing strength as it moves through Georgia and into our area.
At 2 p.m., the National Hurricane Center said NOAA Doppler Radar indicated maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. Idalia is forecasted to weaken further, but it could still produce hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, throughout the evening.
The NHC said the risk of an isolated tornado(s) remains.
As a reminder, we encourage you to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. It isn’t safe to cross elevated roads and bridges during periods of high winds. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is the agency to determine if bridges will close. Currently, all bridges are open.
The National Hurricane Center will provide an update at 5 p.m.
NOTES FROM GOV. HENRY MCMASTER’S PRESS CONFERENCE
Updated 4:02 p.m.
— Idalia is weakening. We don’t know exactly when it is going to get here, but anytime from about 6 p.m. on. This is not as bad as some we’ve seen.
— There will be a lot of water, particularly in the Lowcountry.
— The storm surge may be 3 or more feet in Beaufort, but the estimates are always changing. … Beaufort will get high tide around 9:30 p.m., and it looks like the storm will be passing through around the same time.
— These storms are dangerous. There will be water on the roads that may not appear deep.
— The power companies are prepared.
— No evacuations or closing of state agencies, but the schools are closed.
— “We’ve seen some bad ones. Hurricane Hazel in the 1950s and Hugo in 1989. But this is still dangerous.
— President Biden has called and spoken with the governors of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina and plans to help them any way he can.
— Idalia is still a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds.
POWER OUTAGES
Updated 3:53 p.m.
As of 3:44 p.m., according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks, you guessed it, power outages, there are currently 277,991 without power in the state of Florida and 175,290 in the state of Georgia.
South Carolina currently sits at 10,373 customers without power — 1,097 of those with Dominion Energy and 31 with Palmetto Electric. (Note: All of these outages may not be related specifically to Hurricane Idalia.)
Should you encounter a long-term power outage, according to Nanette Edwards, Director of South Carolina’s Office of Regulatory Staff, utility crews are unable to start repairing power lines until wind speeds are consistently below 35 mph.
REPORT OUTAGES
Updated at 3:46 p.m.
To report owned power lines or power outages to Dominion Energy, call 888-333-4465. To report a gas leak, call 800-815-0083.
To report a power outage to Palmetto Electric Co-Op, call 866-445-5551.
REPORT DOWNED TREES
Updated at 3:44 p.m.-
Report downed trees at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office’s non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.
If a downed tree or trees results in injury, call 911.
MCAS BEAUFORT SETS TROPICAL CYCLONE CONDITION I CAUTION
Updated at 2:04 p.m.
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort has entered Tropical Cyclone Condition I Caution (TCC IC) as Hurricane Idalia approaches according to a press release.
TCC IC is established when a destructive weather system with sustained winds of 58 mph or greater is forecasted to affect the area within six hours.
The press release recommends that air station personnel should stay indoors and stay tuned to local media for the latest information on the storm.
Essential personnel only will report to work areas and personnel are requested to check with their chain of command to determine who is considered essential.
McMASTER TO HOLD BRIEFING ON HURRICANE IDALIA AT 2 P.M.
Updated 1:13 p.m.
Governor Henry McMaster will hold a media briefing with state emergency management officials to update the public on Hurricane Idalia’s impact on South Carolina at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 30, according to a press release.
A life stream of the briefing can be found here.
DOORDASH SUSUPENDS SERVICE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY
Updated 1:08 p.m.
Doordash has activated its Severe Weather Protocol and suspended operation in cities across South Carolina, including Hilton Head, Beaufort and Ridgeland according to a press release.
Operations will be suspended from Wednesday, August 30, at 8:30 a.m. and are expected to resume on Thursday, August 31, at 10:00 a.m., depending on weather and conditions on the ground. These changes have been communicated with Dashers, merchants and customers in the impacted areas, the release continued.
IMPORTANT PREPARATION UPDATES
Updated 1:01 p.m.
People who have no place to go for safety can go to an emergency shelter at Ridgeland School, 250 Jaguar Trail. This shelter is operated by Jasper County Emergency Services along with support from state and local partners and can accommodate anyone who needs a safe place to stay temporarily along with their pets. The shelter opened at 10 a.m. today and will remain open for the duration of the hurricane.
For shelter information, call 843-726-4421.
People coming to the shelter should bring:
- Personal hygiene products
- Bedding items such as their own blankets and pillows
- Important documents for identification
- A 3-day supply of food for those with restrictive diets
- At least a 7-day supply of any medications along with the prescription information
Residents with pets MUST bring a crate, pet food, vaccination records and rabies certificate, most recent heart worm test, most recent FeLV/FIV test result (for cats), at least a 7-day supply of their medications, litter and litter box (for cats), cleaning supplies and food and water bowls. Pets who are not service animals will not be permitted in the main shelter due to safety considerations.
If you stay at your home, pets should be brought inside to shelter from the storm. It is against the law to leave them tethered outside during a named tropical storm.
County Convenience Centers are closed Wednesday and Thursday. They should reopen on Friday, depending on weather and safety issues. If it is determined that it is not safe for them to open on Friday, an announcement will be posted.
BEAUFORT COUNTY ISSUES STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Updated 12:39 p.m.
Beaufort County Chairman Joseph Passiment has declared a state of emergency for Beaufort County until September 3, 2023, according to a press release.
This declaration allows government officials to take an immediate necessary action to mitigate emergencies within the county to cope with existing and anticipated dangers presented by Hurricane Idalia.
These actions may include imposing curfews, re-entry procedures and other short term emergency matters, although at this time, no actions have been imposed relating to curfews or limits of travel.
Beaufort County has also issued a Travel advisory reminding people are to stay off of the roads if possible. Low lying areas will begin to flood and bridges will become dangerous due to high winds as the storm moves into the area. If you must travel, please exercise caution, but try to keep the roads clear for law enforcement and emergency vehicles.
HURRICANE IDALIA CROSSES INTO GEORGIA
Updated 12:11 p.m.
The center of Hurricane Idalia has crossed into southeastern Georgia about 165 miles southwest of Savannah, Ga. and 15 miles south-southeast of Valdosta, Ga. as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph moving north-northeast toward South Carolina according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Beaufort, S.C. is currently under a storm surge warning, a hurricane warning and a tornado watch according to the National Weather Service Charleston.
