Hurricane Irma: South Carolina Braces For Possible Coastal Storm Surges

Hurricane Irma’s forecasted westward march Sunday will likely spare the western boundaries of the Carolinas the worst of its tropical storm wrath, but could still lead to dangerous storm surges along the South Carolina coast. A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch is in effect along much of the South Carolina coast, as the central swath of the Palmetto State was under a flash flood watch and high wind watch, according to National Weather Service forecasters

Tropical storm watches and warnings also went into effect throughout Georgia Sunday morning.

Hurricane Irma was on track make landfall in the lower Florida Keys early Sunday morning with an eventual course set for the state's west coast. The storm officially made the anticipated turn to the north-northwest and the Sunshine state by 8 p.m. Saturday. Downgraded to a Category 3 after tearing through Cuba, the hurricane built new power as it passed over the warm water of the Florida Straits, and Hurricane Irma reached Category 4 strength again by 2 a.m., the National Hurricane Center said.

Also See: What Exactly Is Storm Surge, And Why Does It Have Floridians Worried?

The ferocious storm that tore through the Caribbean, leaving at least 20 people dead in its wake, was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 mph was crawling at 8 mph as she moved toward South Florida.

On its current projected path, Irma is expected to cross over the Florida Keys Sunday morning before beginning a potentially devastating trek north, along the west coast through Monday morning. Forecasters expect Irma to make it well into the Sunshine State before losing major hurricane status.

Tropical storm watches and warnings went into effect throughout Georgia Sunday morning, with a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch still in effect along much of the South Carolina coast.

See also:

• Where To Find Gas In South Carolina: Hurricane Irma Evacuation
• Hilton Head Hospital Suspends Operations
• Hurricane Irma: Evacuees Land in North Carolina
• Hurricane Irma: Almost 3 Million Predicted To Be Without Power
• Hurricane Irma: How North Carolina Can Prepare
• Hurricane Irma: Joint Base Charleston To Evacuate No Later Than 6 p.m.

Patch Editor Sherri Lonon contributed to this report.

Images via the National Weather Service

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