BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) is now expecting up to 4″ – 8″ of rain along the immediate coast through 2PM Tuesday, regardless of weather or not the storm makes landfall or stays off of the coast.
According to NWS, Tropical Storm Colin will cross the Florida Peninsula Monday night and emerge off the Georgia or South Carolina coast early Tuesday morning.
Colin will move away from the region Tuesday afternoon, then high pressure will build in from the west and persist through late week.
Combining the potential rainfall with a late high tide, there is a potential for flash flooding. There is also the potential of severe wind gusts and possible tornadoes in the Lowcountry, according to Berkeley County officials.
Berkeley County Government authorities say they making all necessary preparations for what the storm has the potential of doing over the next 36 hours. Included in the County’s preparations are:
– Close monitoring of the storm
– Preparing to open the County’s Emergency Operation Center, should it be necessary
– Having additional Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office deputies on standby
– Increased monitoring by the Sheriff’s Office of the County’s low-lying areas including Huger, Daniel Island, Cainhoy, French Quarter Creek and Wadboo Creek
– Making sandbags available for the public to pick up at the Whitesville Rural Volunteer Fire Department, located at 115 Sunview Lane in Moncks Corner, and the Hanahan Fire Department Station 1, located at 5826 Campbell Street in Hanahan
– While it is not anticipated that there will be a need to open a shelter for Berkeley County residents, preparations are already underway to open a shelter if the need arises for Berkeley residents or to support our neighboring counties
– Citizen call-in numbers (843-719-4505 and 843-719-4506) are already established for the public to report impassable roadways caused by standing water or downed trees
The public is asked, if they do not have to travel during the storm, to please stay in.
