Heavy rains and flooding threaten Columbia area as Idalia grows in strength
Although Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall in the southeastern U.S., it’s not expected to be that powerful when it’s effects reach the Columbia area.
Idalia (pronounced ee-DAL-ya) is forecast to return to a tropical storm, albeit a strong one, when it moves through the Midlands on Wednesday and Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
The greatest threats that Idalia poses to the Midlands are heavy rains, which could lead to flooding, and strong winds, according to the National Weather Service.
Midlands areas that are normally prone to flooding, along with those affected by significant amounts of rain in the days leading up to the storm’s arrival, are at the greatest risk, the National Weather Service said.
Between the predicted thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday that may produce isolated to scattered showers, along with the precipitation from Idalia as it moves across the area Wednesday and Thursday, Columbia could be doused with about 6 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Localized rainfall amounts could be higher.
Every day through Wednesday has no less than a 50% chance of rain, according to the forecast. There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms through 2 a.m. Tuesday, the forecast shows.
In counties to the east of Columbia, including Sumter and Orangeburg, and down to the South Carolina coast, there’s the greatest potential for heavy rainfall, the National Weather Service said.
Locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding are also possible Monday and Tuesday, ahead of Idalia, according to a hazardous weather outlook.
Potential flash flooding is the greatest threat, but as Idalia dumps more rain on the Columbia area, river flooding becomes another possible hazard, the national Weather Service said.
The latest forecast has the center of Idalia moving near the South Carolina coast, but some deviation to that track — to the east or west — is possible, according to the National Weather Service.
Should Idalia be at tropical storm levels when it hits South Carolina, it will move through with winds as high as 39 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
If they are to occur, the most likely time for tropical storm force winds to lash the Midlands will be Wednesday afternoon into the evening, the National Weather Service said. It’s possible that the Columbia area could experience tropical storm force winds as early as Wednesday morning.
Even if Idalia’s track shifts further east and the strength of the winds in Columbia are reduced, both tropical storm-level wind gusts and isolated tornadoes remain a threat, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service warned not to focus on the exact track, since Idalia’s impacts can happen well outside the area enclosed by the storm’s cone.
Powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.
Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.
As of Monday, no warnings, watches, or advisories were issued for the Columbia area by the National Weather Service. That could change as the storm moves closer.
The forecast calls for temperatures to approach highs around 90 degrees on Monday and Tuesday before dropping to around 80 on Wednesday and Thursday as Idalia’s effects occur.
Idalia would be the first hurricane or tropical storm to affect the Columbia area in 2023, according to LaVoie. Last year, the remnants of Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole doused the Midlands in October and November, respectively.
As of 2 p.m., the storm was moving north at 8 mph toward Florida, and had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
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This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 1:44 PM.
