Beaufort Braces for Hurricane Milton
As the winds begin to stir and the skies cloud over, residents of Beaufort are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Milton, which has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm with winds roaring at 180 mph. This powerful weather system is forecasted to move northeast across the Gulf of Mexico, potentially bringing significant impacts to our area by the end of the week.
The Current Situation
According to the latest briefing from meteorologists at the National Weather Service, there’s a blanket of uncertainty surrounding Hurricane Milton’s path, but it’s clear that Beaufort County is in for some troubling weather as early as Wednesday evening. NWS meteorologist Ron Morales has indicated that the wind field from the storm is expected to greatly increase later this week. The forecast shows that tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or more are likely to hit southeast South Carolina by Thursday morning.
One of the biggest concerns at this time is storm surge, which occurs when extreme weather and powerful winds elevate seawater levels, leading to hazardous flooding. Morales emphasized that Beaufort County and coastal regions in South Carolina and Georgia are particularly vulnerable to this surge, especially during the high tide on Thursday afternoon. Water levels could peak late Thursday into early Friday, which has officials on high alert.
What to Expect
While Hurricane Milton is certainly strong, rain expected from the system is anticipated to be manageable. The forecast predicts that Beaufort could see between 1.5 and 2 inches of rainfall from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday night. Wind gusts are projected to reach about 32 mph, with sustained winds around 25 mph—significantly less intense than what we experienced with Hurricane Helene. In fact, Morales reassured everyone that the odds of tornadoes forming, which were a concern during Helene, are now minimal in the Hilton Head area.
The Storm’s Path
Looking ahead, Hurricane Milton is predicted to make its way towards the Tampa Bay area as a major hurricane by Wednesday afternoon. After crossing through Florida, it is expected to churn toward the Atlantic Ocean, bringing worsening conditions to the coastal Carolinas starting Wednesday evening. Although the storm is likely to spare much of the southeast United States, many communities are still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which sadly resulted in a death toll that climbed to 227—41 of which were in South Carolina alone. That’s more than what was experienced during Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
History in the Making
This hurricane season has proven to be highly unusual. Milton formed in the southwest Gulf of Mexico, breaking the norm of storms originating from the Caribbean or Atlantic. In fact, the projected path of Hurricane Milton is quite rare; the last time something similar happened was way back in 1867!
Rip Currents Warning
Meanwhile, as Hurricane Kirk charts its course towards Europe, it could generate rip currents along Hilton Head’s shores this week. The NWS issued a high risk for rip currents in Beaufort and Jasper counties until 8 p.m. on Monday. Lifeguards have been on high alert, flying yellow flags to caution beachgoers about the potential dangers in the water.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the latest weather updates and exercise caution, especially as we approach the peak of Hurricane Milton’s effects later this week. Preparedness is key as we unite to face whatever challenges may come our way. Keep those emergency kits handy, and let’s weather this storm together.
