Beaufort County Braces for Tropical Storm Milton
Beaufort County, we’ve got a bit of a storm on our hands! Early Thursday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm Warning. And, guess what? This comes hot off the heels of Hurricane Milton, which hit the western coast of Florida on Wednesday, October 9th, as a powerful Category 3 hurricane.
What’s Happening with Hurricane Milton?
After battering Florida, Milton has since weakened to a Category 1 as it made its way across the peninsula. But don’t let that fool you! As it heads out into the Atlantic, it’s expected to regain strength. This means we in Beaufort County can anticipate some impacts from the storm going into Thursday and early Friday morning.
Hold on to your hats! Current forecasts predict sustained wind speeds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts possibly reaching up to a brisk 50 mph as the storm approaches. That’s definitely something to keep an eye on, especially since it’s been only two weeks since we dealt with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.
Potential Hazards Ahead
The winds are a concern, primarily because many residents have trees that were weakened during the last storm. This makes them more susceptible to falling, which—let’s be honest—can lead to some significant issues like blocked roads, power outages, and damage to personal property.
Additionally, a coastal flood advisory is in effect for our area. Be cautious if you’re near the shore or tidal waterways, as they’re expecting up to one foot of flooding come Thursday into Friday morning. It’s wise to stay away from the water during this time, as deadly rip currents are likely to form offshore.
And if you’re dreaming of a beach day, you might want to rethink those plans. Breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet are anticipated, which could cause beach erosion. But don’t worry; we could see conditions start to improve later Thursday and into early Friday morning as Milton shifts further out into the Atlantic.
City Preparations and Safety Measures
In light of the approaching storm, the City of Beaufort has urged all of us to exercise patience with Public Works officials who will be working hard to clear roads. Their main priority is to ensure that roads connected to the fire and police departments, as well as Beaufort Memorial Hospital, get cleared first.
Major routes like Highway 21 Trask Parkway, Sea Island Parkway, U.S. Business 21 – Boundary Street, and others will be attended to before Public Works tackles the secondary roads in neighborhoods and districts. Public Works Director Nate Farrow emphasized that safety is key, stating, “All roadways are inspected prior to crews being deployed to ensure safety and ability to remove the hazard, tree, and/or debris.”
Recreation Changes
In light of the expected wind gusts, Beaufort County Parks and Recreation has decided to cancel all classes, special events, leagues, and practices scheduled for Thursday. While the recreational centers and pools are sticking to their usual schedules for now, it’s essential to stay tuned for updates.
Moreover, the Beaufort County School District has also pulled the plug on all athletic and extracurricular activities for Thursday. Coincidentally, Thursday and Friday were already planned as vacation days for students, which offers at least a silver lining.
As we gear up for this storm, let’s stay informed and look out for one another! Staying safe is the priority, so keep your loved ones close and monitor local reports for real-time updates. Together, we can weather this storm.
