484 WTUS82 KCAE 282119 HLSCAE GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115-116-135>137-290530- Hurricane Ian Local Statement Advisory Number 25 National Weather Service Columbia SC AL092022 519 PM EDT Wed Sep 28 2022 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: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued 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 * 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 490 miles south of Columbia SC or about 450 miles south of Augusta GA - 26.9N 82.0W - Storm Intensity 140 mph - Movement North-northeast or 20 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 through Thursday, then approach coastal portions of Georgia and southern South Carolina on Friday. As the storm moves farther north into South Carolina through the weekend, 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 hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA. Potential impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. * 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 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$