CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- A tropical storm warning is now in effect for several Lowcountry counties ahead of impacts from Hurricane Idalia.
Idalia is forecast to strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane before making landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast early Wednesday morning. The storm is then expected to track along the Georgia and South Carolina coast as a tropical storm through Thursday morning.
The storm is moving north at 14 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph with higher gusts as of 11 a.m. Tuesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles from the center, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
- Sebastian Inlet Florida northward to South Santee River South Carolina
A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions (39-73 mph winds) are expected somewhere within the warning area.
A tropical storm watch is in effort for:
- South Santee River northward to Surf City North Carolina
A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions (39-73 mph winds) are possible within the watch area within 48 hours.
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A storm surge watch is in effect for:
- Mouth of St. Mary’s River to South Santee River South Carolina
A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the watch area during the next 48 hours.
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