Viewers in the Lowcountry shared photos of Monday’s solar eclipse, which peaked at about 70% sun coverage but was not as dramatic as the 2017 eclipse due to not being within the path of totality. Safe eye protection was stressed, and warnings were issued against using unsafe eclipse glasses or taking photos with phones. The next total solar eclipse of this scale in the United States is not expected for another 21 years.
Record rainfall in the Lowcountry, particularly in the Charleston area, has led to flooding and road closures. The City of Charleston is offering free storm parking in several parking garages, while officials are warning drivers to avoid flooded roads. The heavy rains have prompted the cancellation of several events, and the Charleston Fire Department has responded to numerous storm-related calls. The city is taking measures to mitigate flooding and expedite drainage, and residents are urged to report storm damage or drainage issues.
Two Lowcountry school districts, Colleton County and Orangeburg County, have announced E-learning days for Friday due to the threat of severe weather, with assignments posted online and closures of school and district buildings. Other districts, such as Charleston County and Beaufort County, have not announced schedule changes. Additionally, Charleston County Public Library branches will close at 4 p.m. on Friday due to the weather threat.
Severe storms, including a suspected tornado, caused significant damage in the Lowcountry area of South Carolina, with reports of building collapses and destruction of historic buildings in downtown Bamberg. Several businesses, including a consignment furniture store, were also damaged, while crews worked to clear downed trees on Johns Island.
Several Lowcountry school districts and offices are implementing delayed schedules on Wednesday following Tuesday's storms, with Colleton County School District closed and five other districts operating on a two-hour delay. Charleston Southern University will also have a two-hour delay, with in-person classes before 10 a.m. moving online. Additionally, Charleston County Public Library will open one hour later for potential damage assessment.
More than 54,000 electric customers are without power in the Lowcountry as a powerful storm system brings strong winds, with Dominion Energy reporting over 35,000 outages in Charleston, Dorchester, Beaufort, Colleton, and Orangeburg counties. Other electric cooperatives also reported thousands of outages across the region. A tornado watch is in effect for most of South Carolina, including the Lowcountry, until 6 p.m.
Coastal storms in the Lowcountry caused major flooding and beach erosion, washing away seawalls, docks, and private piers. Emergency management crews are clearing the beachfront of debris, while homeowners are dealing with severe erosion near their homes. Ongoing projects to address erosion and flooding have been washed out, and the area is facing worse impacts than a previous hurricane. Despite the setback, the community is determined to rebuild.
School districts in the Lowcountry are urging the public to stay informed about Hurricane Idalia and its impact on school operations by staying connected with them for updates.
Several school districts in the Lowcountry area of South Carolina are monitoring the path of Hurricane Idalia and making adjustments to their schedules. Some districts have announced early dismissals, delayed starts, or closures, while others are closely monitoring the situation and will communicate any changes. Government offices in Beaufort County will be closed, and residents are advised to check with their airlines for possible flight delays or cancellations. City offices in Charleston will close at noon on Wednesday.
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to hit southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry, starting in the afternoon around 4-5 p.m. The Storm Prediction Center has included Savannah and parts of the Lowcountry in the Marginal Risk. The week ahead is expected to be rainy, so enjoy the calm weather while it lasts.
Southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry are at risk of severe thunderstorms this weekend, with two rounds of potentially strong or severe thunderstorms possible from around 5pm Saturday through 9am Sunday. The overall severe weather risk is marginal to slight, but areas south of I-16 have a better chance of seeing severe storms. Rainfall totals of 0.5"-1"+ are possible this weekend, and it is important to have multiple ways to get weather alerts in case a warning is issued for your location or neighborhood.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Georgetown and Williamsburg counties in the Lowcountry, with the potential for severe thunderstorms to develop, including large hail and damaging wind gusts. The watch is in effect until 11 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for several counties in the Lowcountry, including Williamsburg, inland Georgetown, and parts of Orangeburg, as temperatures 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below are expected. The warning is expected to last from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday for Georgetown and Williamsburg counties and from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday for Orangeburg County. A freeze watch was also issued for Dorchester, inland Berkeley, and inland Colleton counties.
