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Reassured to category three status, Hurricane Dorian arrived off the coast of South Carolina early Thursday morning and embarked on an uncertain trail to the 187-kilometer coastline of Palmetto State.
The good news? Early reports from Beaufort County, South Carolina indicate that the main population centers of Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head have escaped the worst of the storm.
"Beaufort County has been very lucky," state senator Tom Davis told us at about 10:30 am EDT as the winds started to weaken in his district. "The heart of the storm went well offshore and the tide rose from high at 2:00 am to low at 8:00 am, when the winds were strongest, which reduced the chances of overheating."
Still to be determined, however? How far will Dorian reach Charleston, Myrtle Beach and other population centers along the coast?
"Hoping that the northeast becomes harder for our friends on the coast to be spared," Davis said. added via Twitter.
This makes it a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
(Click to see)
(Via: BoatUS)
As Dorian approaches Charleston, strong winds have been recorded inland. At the Charleston International Airport, which authorities shut down due to the storm, sustained winds of 39 miles to the hour and gusts of 63 miles to the hour were recorded early Thursday .
Meanwhile, an offshore buoy located about 45 miles southeast of Charleston reported a sustained wind of 71 miles at the hour, with a gust of 83 miles at the time, while Dorian turned north.
"A turn to the northeast is expected here tonight, and a northeasterly move at a faster pace is expected on Friday," predicted the forecasters. "On the forecast trail, the Dorian center will continue to move near the coast of South Carolina today, then near or over the North Carolina coast tonight and Friday."
"Some intensity fluctuations are expected this morning, followed by a slow weakening until Saturday," added forecasters. "However, Dorian should remain a hurricane for the next few days."
At 9:30 eastern daylight time, approximately 202,000 South Carolinians were deprived of electricity due to the storm.
"Most of the failures (were on) Johns Island," S.C. Emergency Management Division (DCDS) spokesperson Derrec Becker tell us.
(Click to see)
(Via: NOAA)
While Dorian was flirting with a landing in South Carolina, officials were assessing its expected impact on Palmetto State.
Storm surges ranging from 5 to 8 feet were expected on the stretch of coast from Isle of Palms (just north of Charleston) to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – while storm surges ranging from 4 to 7 feet were projected north of Myrtle Beach to Duck, North Carolina.
With respect to precipitation, Dorian was to be between 6 and 12 inches off the Carolinas shoreline – some areas receiving more than 15 inches.
Tornadoes were also a concern, as the Dorian rains spread in Palmetto State. At 1015 EDT, several tornadoes were reported in Horry County.
At 10:00 am EDT, an emergency responder told us that "the conditions were degrading in Horry and Georgetown counties" – but that officials saw "improvements in Beaufort, Jasper and Colleton Counties".
(Click to see)
(Via: @SCEMD)
Just south of Charleston, representative of the state Peter McCoy – whose district includes James Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island – told us that Dorian was producing "a lot of wind, rain and flood" and had left "many people without electricity".
"Everyone is working together to overcome this," McCoy told us. "I especially want to thank all the first responders and law enforcement who are working to keep us safe."
Development …
-FitsNouvelles
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