Tropical storm and flash flood watch issued for Midlands as Isaias moves toward SC
Although Isaias downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm Saturday, it remains headed toward South Carolina, with severe weather watches issued for the Columbia area.
On Sunday evening, the National Weather Service said a tropical storm warning and flash flood watch were issued for parts of the Midlands. The tropical storm warning is for Orangeburg and Clarendon counties.
Heavy rain and powerful winds are the primary threats in the areafrom Isaias, pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs, the National Weather Service office in Columbia said in a storm briefing.
The rains are expected to begin overnight Monday morning, according to the briefing. The precipitation from the storm is predicted to continue through Tuesday, and 2-3 inches of rainfall is expected in the Midlands — with more possible in some spots, officials said.
Beginning Monday morning, a flash flood watch will be in effect for Orangeburg, Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, and Chesterfield counties. The watch currently runs through Tuesday, weather officials said.
River flooding is less likely, but still possible in the wake of significant precipitation in the past week.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Clarendon and Orangeburg counties, according to the briefing. The strongest winds are expected to occur on Monday afternoon and into the night, officials said.
Forecasts show winds could reach the 40 mph range, and there’s up to a 20% chance tropical storm force winds will lash the eastern portion of Midlands. In the Columbia area, a 10% chance of tropical storm force winds is possible, according to the National Weather Service.
While minimal, there is a chance tornadoes could also develop in the Midlands Monday, according to the briefing.
Wind gusts could cause sever tree limbs, and trees could topple because the ground will be over saturated with rain. Both impacts could cause widespread power outages, the National Weather Service warned.
The center of the storm is expected to move along the South Carolina coast, where Isaias’ greatest impacts are expected, weather officials said.
As of 11:30 a.m., Isaias was moving at 8 mph and was 120 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm had sustained winds of 65 mph, and was moving northwest.
The S.C. Emergency Management Division is urging people to review safety plans and consider what they would need to do if the storm threatens the state. That includes making sure people have enough water and food to sustain themselves for three days, the division said in a news release Friday. The National Weather Service encouraged people to have a supply of any necessary medication and batteries.
After the storm passes further north, Columbia temperatures will see highs in the low-to-mid 90s for the rest of the week, with more rain possible, the forecast shows.
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This story was originally published August 2, 2020 at 12:52 PM.
