The National Hurricane Center continues to track Hurricane Dorian. The hurricane is expected to slowly strengthen, increase in size, and move generally westward with a decreasing speed toward the northern Bahamas and the east coast of Florida over the next several days. A turn toward the northwest and north seems likely over or near the Florida peninsula. It is still too soon to know if there will be direct significant impacts from Dorian for the GA Coastal Empire and SC Lowcountry, but the threat is slowly increasing for the middle to later part of next week. Moderate to major levels of tidal flooding are expected through at least the middle of next week, even if Dorian remains well away from the area. Additionally, the threat for flooding rainfall during the middle to end of next week is slowly increasing.  

CURRENT WATCHES, WARNINGS AND/OR ADVISORIES  

Coastal Flood Warning for all coastal counties this evening. Coastal Flood Advisory for tidal Berkley this evening. Small Craft Advisory for all coastal waters outside the Charleston Harbor today into early evening. 

HAZARDS AND IMPACTS 

COASTAL FLOODING: Moderate to Major coastal flooding is expected with the evening high tides. Some flooding of coastal roads is likely, especially around Downtown Charleston and on barrier islands. Water could also approach/enter some structures. Some flooding along Highway 80 to Tybee Island is possible, especially during the evening high tides through the middle of next week.  

RAINFALL FLOODING:  The potential for heavy rainfall and flooding of streets/roadways will increase, mainly during the middle to end of next week, especially if Dorian tracks close to our area.  

MARINE AND OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:  Increasing risk for hazardous winds and seas, dangerous surf and rip currents, as well as beach erosion especially by the middle of next week.   

TIMING 

COASTAL FLOODING:  Mainly around the evening high tides, with some risk for at least minor coastal flooding around the morning high tides, through at least the middle of next week.   

RAINFALL FLOODING:  Mainly by the middle to end of next week.  

MARINE AND OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:  Mainly by later this weekend through the middle to end of next week.