A Hurricane Watch has been issued for coastal regions of the Pee Dee region north of the South Santee River. A Storm Surge Warning is also in effect for Edisto Beach, South Carolina to the North Carolina border.
A Storm Surge Warning means that there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the next 36 hours. Coastal regions of the LowCountry south of Edisto Beach could receive 1 to 3 feet of storm surge inundation, with 2 to 4 feet possible farther north. The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds. Surge-related flooding will depend largely on the timing of the surge and the tidal cyclone with a higher risk occurring near and during high tide.
Tropical Storm Isaias as of Sunday evening was located about 65 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral Florida with maximum sustained wind speeds near 70 mph (112.7 km/h), a slight increase from the previous advisory from the National Hurricane Center. There is a chance that Isaias may regain strength and develop back into a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches the South Carolina coast. Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for all coastlines with a Hurricane Watch extending northward from the South Santee River.
Isaias is expected to turn more westerly beginning Monday and approach parts of the LowCountry Monday afternoon. Rain bands are likely to arrive ahead of Isaias as early as overnight Sunday with possible tropical storm-force winds between 45 and 55 mph expected to arrive into the LowCountry during the late morning hours Monday before approaching the Pee Dee region Monday afternoon and evening. Tropical Storm-force winds could get as far as the I-95 corridor. Rainfall amounts between 3 to 6 inches are possible with greater isolated amounts possible across parts of the Grand Strand and Pee Dee regions.
Regardless of tropical storm or hurricane strength, Isaias at this time is expected to bring heavy rainfall, tropical storm-force winds, and storm surge to South Carolina with more emphasis on Pee Dee coastlines where Isaias has the potential to make a direct landfall according to the latest weather models.
Residents located along the coastlines should take all necessary precautions to protect life and property ahead of Isaias. Promptly follow and heed the warnings from emergency managers and local officials and leave if an evacuation order has been given.