UPDATED, 6 p.m., Aug. 4 | Call it the Cow before the storm.
As of 6 p.m. Sunday, the Coburg Cow stood on its perch watching Savannah Highway in West Ashley (despite many Facebook spoofs to the contrary). But as Charleston-area residents continued to prepare for lots of flooding, rain and high winds expected to start Monday night from powerful Tropical Storm Debby, the cow might come down. Or not, depending on the severity of the storm.
Concern about the storm continues to grow as evidenced by official press conferences, sandbags being placed strategically to protect property and trips to grocery stores to stock up on essentials. Even the Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore reportedly is in Charleston, seen as an ominous sign for something big ahead.
Earlier Sunday, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for South Carolina to help in preparations for the storm’s impact.
“Team South Carolina is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Debby and has begun preparing for its potential impact on our state,” the governor said today. “With a potentially significant rainfall event forecast for the next few days, it is critical that residents in potentially affected areas start making preparations and plans today—in case it is necessary to take quick action.”
The declaration of through an executive order activates the state’s emergency operations plan and allows state agencies to coordinate resources ahead of the storm.
Tropical Storm Debby is expected to make landfall on the western Florida coast on Monday. It then will spin toward Georgia and South Carolina with days of heavy rain and winds with life-threatening flash, urban and river flooding.
“Confidence is increasing that tropical storm force winds associated with Debby will spread across the coastal counties of southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia beginning as early as tonight, but more likely later Monday into Tuesday,” the National Weather Service said in a Sunday morning forecast. “Tropical storm watches and warnings will likely be needed.”
City of Charleston officials warn up to 30 inches of rain could fall between today and Friday causing “imminent, life-threatening floodwaters and unpredictable flash flooding. … This storm is expected to produce very significant and rare flooding impacts across the city.” Heaviest rains are expected Tuesday through Thursday.
The biggest threat appears to be from flooding, which “is expected to inundate roads across the city, damage vehicles and enter some structures,” according to city officials. “Motorists who drive into flood waters may lose their vehicles. Residents are urgently advised to move their vehicles to higher ground before Monday.”
Flooding is expected to cause widespread road closures, including on roads that typically aren’t affected by flooding in similar storms.
- Road closures: Click here to keep up with updated road closures during the storm.
- Parking garages open: Residents can move their cars to higher ground locations to avoid flood damage for free at these city garages: Aquarium (23 Calhoun St.), Visitor Center (63 Mary St.), WestEdge (99 West Edge St.), Charleston Tech Center (997 Morrison Dr.), and East Bay/Prioleau (25 Prioleau St.). The Queen Street lot at 93 Queen St. will open for free starting 5 p.m. Monday. County garages are open for free starting 8 a.m. Monday at 90 Cumberland St. and 85 Queen St.
- Trash pickup: Cancelled Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Public meetings: All public city of Charleston meetings are cancelled for the week.
- Shelter. A shelter for people and pets will be open at 8 a.m. Monday at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Administration Building, 3841 Leeds Ave.
- Info line: A Community Information Line will be staffed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide updates and answer storm questions. In English: 843.746.3900. In Spanish: 843.746.3909.
Checklists and safety plans
The American Red Cross has a hurricane preparedness checklist and power outage checklist, and recommends reviewing both ahead of any emergency. Compiling a list of emergency numbers and taking photos of valuables for insurance claims is also a great way to mitigate some of the stress that comes with heavy storms.
Residents are also encouraged to download useful apps on their phones — such as weather, news and safety-related apps — to stay informed during times when Mother Nature is unkind.
Charleston County also has released an updated hurricane guide, including information on new evacuation zones. The 31-page document is available to read online and print out for free. It details ways to prepare yourself and home for weather-related disasters and includes evacuation routes from several locations throughout Charleston County.
Other information
- More resources: The S.C. Emergency Management Division also has a lot of resources available online at hurricane.sc.
- National Hurricane Center
- National Weather Service for Charleston.
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