City of Charleston Emergency Management continues to work closely with state and regional officials to monitor Tropical Storm Isaias and make preparations for any potential local impacts.
The city’s Municipal Emergency Operations Center will activate virtually at 8 a.m. on Monday and will remain activated for the duration of the storm.
The current forecast from the National Weather Service anticipates impacts to Charleston from Tropical Storm Isaias Monday afternoon through Monday night. At present, there is a potential for tropical storm force winds and coastal flooding with Monday’s 9 p.m. high tide, as well as possible flooding due to rainfall. Additionally, storm surge inundation is possible Monday night.
Based on the current forecast, citizens should expect overnight road closures beginning Monday evening. City Emergency Management officials strongly encourage residents to avoid travel throughout the event.
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, the city will have a limited number of free sand and bags available for residents to build their own sandbags. Residents should bring their own shovels for assembly. Staff will be on-site to provide assistance, as needed.
The self-serve pick-up locations are:
- City of Charleston Environmental Services Building, 2150 Milford Street
- James Island Town Hall, 1122 Dills Bluff Road
All residents visiting this site will be required to wear masks and gloves, and maintain six feet of distance between themselves and other patrons. Sandbag assembly will be limited to eight people at a time to ensure proper social distancing.
A limit of 10 sandbags per car applies to all residents visiting these locations. To purchase additional sandbags, citizens should contact a local home hardware store.
The city is offering parking to residents free of charge from 8 a.m. Sunday, August 2 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, August 4 in the following parking garages:
- Queen Street Garage, 93 Queen Street
- Aquarium Garage, 24 Calhoun Street
- Visitor Center Garage, 63 Mary Street
- St. Philip Street Garage, 34 St. Philip Street
No boats, trailers or golf carts are allowed.
Due to the possibility of flooding, the city’s Stormwater Department has stationed temporary pumps in low lying areas and continues to proactively clean ditches and drains in flood prone areas. Citizens can visit the city’s Adopt-a-Drain webpage for information on ways they can help.
Additionally, street sweepers will be deployed in areas prone to flooding tomorrow to ensure that as much debris as possible is cleared from the roadways prior to the storm’s onset.
The Parks Department continues working to lower the water levels in Lake Dotterer and Colonial Lake.
Next week’s garbage and trash collection will be delayed one day, with Monday’s routes being collected on Tuesday, Tuesday’s routes collected on Wednesday and Thursday’s routes on Friday. At this time, Tuesday’s collection schedule is expected to run as normal. Further adjustments will be made as necessary in response to roadway conditions.
Citizens are reminded to clear any curbside garbage cans or bags prior to the storm’s onset Monday, as these items are likely to block storm drains and inhibit drainage if left out.
The city’s Operation Move-out initiative was completed at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The city of Charleston Citizens Services Desk (843-724-7311) is staffed today until 4 p.m. to answer citizens’ questions about the city’s preparations for the storm. Residents are also encouraged to review the city’s Hurricane Information webpage, which can be accessed at http://www.charleston-sc.gov/hurricane-information. Updates on Tropical Storm Isaias will be released and posted to the webpage as new information becomes available.
For the most accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts, residents should monitor the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service Charleston websites, as well as local media and the FEMA app. Additional hurricane preparedness information can be found at www.scemd.org.