MORNING NEWSBREAK | Millions of Floridians are in the path of monster hurricane Milton that is expected to slam into the Sunshine State near Tampa with immense force later today. The storm, now a Category 5, is expected to weaken by landfall, but it also likely will bring widespread destruction — just two weeks after Hurricane Helene pounded the Florida panhandle and inundated the Carolinas.
For the Charleston area, the highest impact will be high tides and tidal flooding due to onshore winds Thursday afternoon and into early Friday morning, according to WCSC-TV meteorologist Bill Walsh. Tides up to 8.2 feet are expected, which could lead to major flooding in low areas such as the city and along waterways.
Overall, expect low-end wind impacts and rainfall. Most tropical storm force winds above 39 mph will be along the coastal waters.
The city of Charleston is offering resources to prepare for Milton’s impact to the area, including opening five parking garages in downtown Charleston and offering sandbags for those at risk of flooding.
Meanwhile as the state still continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, S.C. legislators say they won’t return to Columbia this year to deal with the destructive aftermath from two weeks ago.
In other recent headlines:
CP NEWS, SC-1: Moore running hard but uphill in gerrymandered 1st district. Businessman and former International African American Museum President Michael B. Moore says conventional wisdom that Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace will win the First Congressional District race is just plain wrong.
CP NEWS: Heart disease rising in S.C., experts say. According to the S.C. Department of Public Health, more than 11,000 people died in South Carolina from heart disease in 2020. More recent federal data suggests the problem is getting worse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported heart disease deaths surpassed 12,000 in 2022.
Charleston Co. opens welcome center amid influx of multilingual students. Charleston County School District celebrated the grand opening of a welcome center for international students on Oct. 7 at Pinehurst Elementary School in North Charleston.
College of Charleston president, S.C. commerce secretary to get double-digit raises. College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu and state Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey are the latest officials set to receive double-digit pay raises as part of an ongoing, multi-year Statehouse review of South Carolina agency head salaries.
MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital nabs top ranking. The Medical University of South Carolina’s Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital has been named second in the nation for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Children’s Hospital rankings.
Leaders announce completion of Folly Beach renourishment project. Miles of the Folly Beach shoreline have been restored months after strong storms peeled back portions of the beachfront.
Charleston Co. officials working to improve safety in historic community. Charleston County officials are looking to accept state funding to further the Sol Legare Community Safety project, which plans to add a 5-foot-wide sidewalk including drainage work down 2.5 miles of road.
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