Hurricane Dorian: SC Evacuations, Closures, Lane Reversals

Hurricane Dorian made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane packing sustained winds of 185 miles per hour Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Dorian appears to have shifted its course northward, away from Florida, and is threatening the Carolinas and Georgia with heavy rains that could produce life-threatening flash flooding.

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the South Carolina coast, stating that the storm will likely affect the area late Wednesday through Thursday.

"Hurricane Dorian is expected to turn north from the Bahamas, passing very close to the Carolina coast late Wednesday through Thursday. Depending on the exact track the storm takes, impacts from Dorian could include flooding rainfall, damaging winds of tropical storm or hurricane force and storm surge flooding."

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued several executive orders Sunday, Sept. 1, after Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas.

The orders cover evacuations, traffic and government offices, including schools:

• Mandatory evacuations start at noon on Monday, Sept. 2, for select zones in South Carolina, the governor announced in a briefing Sunday night: Colleton Zones A and B; Beaufort Zone A; Jasper Zone A; Charleston Zones A, B and C; Dorchester Zone D; Berkeley Zones B and G; Horry Zone A; and Georgetown Zone A. Visit scemd.org to know your zone.
• Lane reversals on Interstate 26 near Charleston will start at noon Monday, and tolls will be suspended on the Cross Island Parkway at that time as well. There will be a lane reversal on US 278 in the Hilton Head area too. The idea is to help people evacuate quickly and safely.
• Schools and state government offices in these counties will be closed starting Tuesday, Sept. 3: Jasper, Beaufort, Colleton, Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry.

Drivers were encouraged to have a full tank of gas and prepare emergency kits with cash, food, medications, cell phone, flashlights and batteries.

"There is an increasing likelihood of strong winds and dangerous storm surge along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina later this week," the National Hurricane Center stated in its 5 p.m. Sunday forecast discussion. "Heavy rains, capable of producing life-threatening flash floods, are expected over northern portions of the Bahamas and coastal sections of the southeast and lower mid-Atlantic regions of the United States through late this week."

Dorian's current path shows that it could reach Georgia's coast around 8 a.m. Wednesday as a major hurricane with wind speeds over 110 miles per hour.

About 24 hours later, the storm track shows it hovering near the coast of the Carolinas as a hurricane with speeds between 74 miles per hour and 110 miles per hour.

See more on the storm from neighboring states:

• GEORGIA: Potential Tornadoes, Floods, High Wind Forecast In GA
• FLORIDA: Hurricane Warning Issued In FL As Hurricane Dorian Unleashes Fury
• NORTH CAROLINA: State Of Emergency Declared For North Carolina

Dorian will remain a very powerful storm over the next few days, the NWS warned. The coastal Carolinas and Georgia, specifically, should prepare for 5 to 10 inches of storm surge flooding, and up to 15 inches in spots. The Atlantic coast of Florida will see flooding up from 2 to 4 inches, with isolated spots of up to six inches.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Saturday evening to prepare for Dorian's arrival. "North Carolinians should prepare, and listen to local leaders for updates on severe weather. Please take the time now to prepare for possible effects of #Dorian," Cooper tweeted.

"#HurricaneDorian projections have now shifted more toward Coastal Georgia," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a tweet Saturday. "I urge Georgians in these areas to stay vigilant, keep an eye on storm developments, and take all necessary precautions. #gapol."

Kemp had already declared a state of emergency in 12 Georgia counties: Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, and Wayne. He also issued an order suspending restrictions of commercial vehicle operations.

"There is still considerable spread on how close the storm will track to the east coast of Florida and the southeastern coast of the United States," the National Hurricane Center said in its update at 11 p.m. on Saturday.

A tropical storm watch has been issued for the east coast of Florida from Deerfield Beach in Broward County to Sebastian Inlet in Brevard County as Hurricane Dorian continues to spin its 150 mph winds as a major Category 4 storm, according to the 11 p.m. NHC update on Saturday. The good news for the Sunshine State is that Dorian is expected to shift further to the northeast away from Florida's east coast and is likely to remain off the coast. Tropical storms pack sustained surface winds from 39 to 73 mph.

Dorian's "track has again shifted slightly east, but Chatham remains in the error cone," the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency in Georgia said Saturday afternoon. "We could see impacts mid- to late next week and residents are still encouraged to prepare for any potential impacts to our area."

While there is a reduced likelihood of hurricane force winds, they could be felt as early as Monday morning and linger into Tuesday evening in Florida, Warning Coordination Meteorologist Robert Molleda with the National Weather Service in Miami told Patch.

The city of Savannah and Chatham County could feel the affects of Hurricane Dorian by mid-to late next week, officials said. "Dorian is nearing a category 5 hurricane; it has slowed down and strengthened again. The track shifted slightly east, but Chatham remains in the error cone and could see impacts mid to late next week. Prepare now by checking your emergency kit and updating your family’s plans," the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency tweeted on Saturday.

Patch is tracking every move of Tropical Storm Dorian. Get all the updates on the storm by subscribing to Patch's free breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Saturday urged North Carolinians to pay attention to the forecast, and make sure they are ready for its possible impacts expected by the middle of next week.

“Now is the time to prepare and take Dorian seriously,” said Governor Cooper. “This storm could cause serious damage and bring dangerous conditions to our state. I urge everyone to follow the forecast and listen to their local first responders.”

After the storm's shift, Gov. Henry McMaster also declared a state of emergency for South Carolina and urged residents to prepare for the possibility of a strike by the dangerous storm.

"Given the strength and unpredictability of the storm, we must prepare for every possible scenario," McMaster said. "State assets are being mobilized now and Team South Carolina is working around the clock to be ready, if necessary. We encourage all South Carolinians who may be impacted by Hurricane Dorian to be vigilant and prepare now. There is no reason for delay."

According to forecasters, the storm could reach Florida's east coast late Monday into Tuesday. Dangerous conditions are still possible along the state's east coast but since the storm is expected to turn northwards near or just offshore off the coast, forecasters can't say when the or where the highest surges and strongest winds could occur. While the storm's strength could fluctuate, Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane over the next few days, the NHC said.

"Pay attention to the cone," Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center, said in a briefing. "The cone means the center (of the storm) could be anywhere in the cone two thirds of the time based on our average error for the track forecast over the last five years."

Dorian's current path shows that it could reach Georgia's coast around 8 a.m. Wednesday as a major hurricane with wind speeds over 110 miles per hour. About 24 hours later, the storm track shows it hovering near the coast of the Carolinas as a hurricane with speeds of between 74 miles per hour and 110 miles per hour.

Graham said that for Florida, the storm getting further off the coast seems like good news but cautioned that the storm is extremely powerful.

"Either way, some places in Florida can still see some of that rain, can see some of that elevated tides with the storm surge," Graham said, reminding residents to pay attention to the latest forecast.

Regardless of its eventual track, heavy rains that could bring life-threatening flash floods are expected over parts of The Bahamas and the southeastern coast of the U.S. this weekend through much of next week. Hurricane conditions are expected in the northwestern Bahamas by Sunday and tropical storm winds are forecast to begin Saturday night.

"A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 10 to 15 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds in the northwestern Bahamas," the forecast said. "Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves."

Along the southeastern U.S. coast, rainfall totals of four to eight inches with isolated 12-inch totals are expected.