CHARLESTON BRACES FOR IMPACTS OF HURRICANE HELENE

Residents of Charleston and other parts of South Carolina are bracing for the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene, which is forecasted to bring rain, gusty winds, and even a tornado threat to the area.

Tornado Watch For Charleston Area

A tornado watch was issued early on Thursday morning for the regions of Charleston, Colleton, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties and will remain in effect until 9 p.m. tonight. Local meteorologists are warning that the rain bands associated with Hurricane Helene carry an enhanced risk of producing tornadoes.

“Be alert and ready to take action if warnings are issued“, one meteorologist advised. Along with the tornado watch, a tropical storm warning is also in effect for all of South Carolina as Hurricane Helene is expected to impact the state from Thursday through Friday morning.

Hurricane Helene Upgraded To Category 2

On Thursday morning, Hurricane Helene was upgraded to Category 2 and is projected to strengthen into a larger, major hurricane before it makes landfall near Florida’s Big Bend region this evening. The storm track will then move north, crossing Georgia and into South Carolina early on Friday morning.

Experts from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) explain that the impacts from Helene will be felt significantly east of where the storm actually tracks. South Carolina is likely to experience tropical storm-force winds with frequent gusts between 40 mph to 60 mph. Closer to the coastline, residents can expect gusts of up to 60 mph.

Threat of Tornadoes in South Carolina

Tropical cyclones often create atmospheric conditions that can spawn tornadoes, and Hurricane Helene is no exception. As the storm’s rain bands roll off the Atlantic, they can generate a kidney bean-like formation on the weather radar, an indication of rotating supercell structures.

These structures pose a significant threat as they have the potential to generate tornadoes. The most serious risk for tornadoes is predicted to be in lower South Carolina extending into southern Georgia.

Advisories and Precautions

With the storm advancing, residents are strongly advised to heed local media and weather services for storm updates and advisories. They should also ensure that they have downloaded reliable weather apps for storm tracking, notifications, and warnings.

Given the expected intensity of Hurricane Helene, locals are urged to finalize storm preparations as soon as possible and to continue monitoring the situation closely. Residents living in hurricane-prone areas or near the coastline are especially urged to take necessary precautions and adhere to evacuation orders, if issued.