Hurricane Idalia is expected to be felt across the Palmetto State tomorrow with heavy rains, wind and storm surge. The storm morphed overnight. It’s quickly approaching the Florida coast and is expected to make landfall Wednesday morning. It then will turn northeast to threaten southern Georgia and the South Carolina coast.
To prepare for the hurricane, the city of Charleston is handing out sandbags, opening parking garages, closing offices and blocking roads that may flood. Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg says the city is taking aggressive steps to prepare because the storm is anticipated to hit Charleston Wednesday night when the area is likely to experience a higher-than-normal king tide of nearly 8 feet.
“While it’s still too soon to know exactly what Idalia’s local impacts may be, with heavy rain, winds and King tides expected, we’ve begun making preparations here in the city,” Tecklenburg said. “Citizens are encouraged to do the same, and to continue monitoring local media for the latest news and public information announcements regarding the storm.”
Charleston will be giving away sand and bags Tuesday across three locations, along with other surrounding cities and counties offering more sand in other locations.
Charleston will also open six parking garages starting 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the following locations:
- Aquarium Parking Garage, 24 Calhoun St.
- Visitor’s Center Garage, 63 Mary St.
- Queen Street Parking Garage, 93 Queen St.
- East Bay/Prioleau Parking Garage, 25 Prioleau St.
- 99 Westedge St. Parking Garage
- Charleston Tech Center, 4 Conroy St.
Safety officials are also taking steps to protect beachside communities from the effects of Hurricane Idalia, expecting high winds, heavy rainfall and high tides. Representatives from Isle of Palms and Folly Beach are working to reduce damage to the coastline.
Follow these links to read the City Paper’s emergency kit checklist and safety tips for hurricane preparedness and Charleston County’s 2023 Hurricane Guide.
In other news:
CP MUSIC: Summerville husband-wife duo create faith-based musical. Summerville-based husband-and-wife team Chuck and Karen Smith explore the biblical story of David in “Daniel and the Kings,” playing at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center (PAC) Sept. 21 through Sept. 24.
CP FOOD: How to make the perfect cocktail. Charleston City Paper staff chatted with bartenders to highlight some popular and lesser-known concoctions with expert advice on how to shake (or stir) your own at home.
S.C. home sales slip to 7-year low amid rising interest rates, limited supply. Residential transactions tumbled nearly 15%, according to new data from the S.C. Realtors Association. A South Carolina home now costs 42% more than in March 2020, when the coronavirus first emerged in the U.S., and more than double the price from a decade ago.
How S.C.’s abortion law sounds to transgender men. For gender-expansive people in general and for transgender men in particular, South Carolina’s ban on most abortions after six weeks raises scary questions for the future, they say.
Scott kicks of trio of S.C. presidential town halls in Charleston. Presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., returned to downtown Charleston on Monday afternoon to kick off a trio of town hall events across his home state, laying out his vision for “restoring hope and creating opportunities” in front of packed crowds.
New report shows law enforcement vacancies throughout Lowcountry. A survey released in April by the Police Executive Research Forum shows that police departments are recruiting more officers, but departments throughout America have seen 47% more resignations. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office currently has 47 deputy sheriff openings and 97 detention deputies’ openings, out of the around 900 people employed.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
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