Tropical Storm Bertha is moving inland over SC. What that means for the Midlands
Tropical Storm Bertha formed early Wednesday morning and is making a bee-line for South Carolina, according to the National Weather Service office in Columbia.
Models show the second named storm of 2020 moving inland through the Midlands.
In spite of that track, heavy rains are the primary effect predicted to impact the Columbia area, meteorologist John Quagliariello told The State. No severe weather — in the form of powerful winds, hail, or widespread thunderstorms — is expected in the Midlands, according to Quagliariello.
“There’s not a lot in the way of impact on the Midlands,” Quagliariello said. “Bertha quickly developed this morning and will move onshore on the South Carolina coast in the Charleston County area. But the greatest threat in the Midlands is heavy rainfall. We’re not expecting damaging winds from the storm.”
The forecast shows Bertha reaching the Midlands in the afternoon and lasting through the evening, according to Quagliariello.
The Columbia area could see between 1.5 to 3 inches of rain, according to Quagliariello. The areas expected to see the most precipitation are in the eastern side of the Midlands, and the some local rainfall totals could be higher, the meteorologist said.
All of the new rain on top of the recent record-setting stretch of precipitation in Columbia means there’s a greater risk of flooding.
Flash flood watches have been issued for portions of the Midlands, according to the National Weather Service. They could be life threatening, the National Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning has been issued for the South Carolina coast.
Quagliariello said he expected more flood watches to made for Richland County, in addition to Kershaw and Calhoun counties. Parts of South Carolina west of Columbia are not expected to receive as much rainfall from Bertha, the meteorologist said.
Even after Bertha moves past the Midlands, the threat of flooding remains with more rain in the forecast through the weekend. The soil is saturated and rivers are swelling from all of the recent precipitation, according to Quagliariello.
More rainfall is in the forecast from Thursday through Saturday, and with the possibility of rain on Sunday.
Thunderstorms are also possible, with an 80 percent chance on Friday, according to the weather service.
“The forecast is unsettled before potentially drying up next week,” Quagliariello said. “It’s not going to be a constant rain, but some areas will be hit harder.”
It continues a wet trend in Columbia, which tied a record Monday for the most consecutive days of rain in May, after precipitation was recorded for the eighth consecutive day at Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
If the forecast holds up, the all-time record for most consecutive days of rain — 13, set in September 1924 — would be matched.
Bertha has maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with stronger gusts as of 8 a.m., according to the National Hurricane Center. The center of the storm is moving northwest at about 9 mph, forecasters said.
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin pledged his support for the South Carolina coast and Charleston after retweeting a forecast of Bertha’s path.
“Prayers for all. Even in these challenging times, please know that Columbia stands with you and always ready to support our neighbors and friends,” Benjamin tweeted with the hashtag #TropicalStorm Bertha.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 9:13 AM.
