Good afternoon Island residents,

By this time, you should be aware that Hurricane Ian has made landfall in southwest Florida as a Category 5 storm. Moreover, the system will track east-northeast across the Florida peninsula before reemerging into the Atlantic Ocean.  There is high confidence that the storm will come ashore somewhere in the vicinity of the Georgia-South Carolina state line. While the intensity of the wind scale will be in the range of a powerful tropical storm, it is important to note that the other impacts will be as devastating as wind and all residents should be prepared for the worst.  During Friday it is expected that the major concerns and focus should be on powerful tropical storm  wind as much as 65mph, storm surge in the 4 to 5 foot range, and 6 to 10 inches of rainfall.  Tornado activity is not expected to be a major concern.  

Key Items to Note at This Time Include:

• As of 2pm today Hurricane Ian was located at 26.6N/82.3W or about 25 miles WNW of Fort Myers FL with maximum sustained wind of 155 mph and central pressure of 937 mb moving NNE at 9mph
• Currently Charleston County is under a hurricane watch and storm surge watch
• By Thursday morning 9-29-22 the Island should begin to feel wind gusts to 35mph increasing to as much as tropical storm gusts by Friday. Wind an rain should be with us until Saturday morning.
• While wind is a concern other impacts of great concern include: as much as 6 to 10 inches of rain and storm surge as much as 4 to 5 feet
• The rainfall and storm surge impacts will be exacerbated  by higher than usual tides caused by northeast wind
• Tides for Thursday, Friday and Saturday:
  • 9-29-22 TH Low 4:23am (0.3)
  • 9-29-22 TH High 10:50am (6.0)
  • 9-29-22 TH Low 5:09pm (0.6)
  • 9-29-22 TH High 11:00pm (5.2)
  • 9-30-22 Fri Low 5:09am (0.4)
  • 9-30-22 Fri High 11:40am (6.0)
  • 9-30-22 Fri Low 6:03pm (0.8)
  • 9-30-22 Fri High 11:50pm (5.0)
  • 10-1-22 Sat Low 6:00am (0.5)
  • 10-1-22 Sat High 12:38pm (5.9)
  • 10-1-22 Sat Low 7:01pm (1.1)

What to Expect Thursday Night Through Saturday Morning

• Tropical storm winds could be between 40 to 65 mph based on the current storm track; however, subject to change as the storm interacts with land and the Atlantic Ocean
• During the course of the storm event expect heavy volume of rain fall in the range of 6” to 10” – some of which could occur during flood slack water at 11:40am and 11:50pm Friday
• NHC predicts as much as 2’ to 4’ of inundation  at time of flood slack water
• Onshore wind, rip currents and wave heights will continue to increase through Saturday
• Light possibility of tornado action in Charleston County at the time of the event
• Possibility of downed power lines and/or loss of power
• Possibility of downed trees and/or limbs
• Use care while surfing; check the dock lines and bilge pump on your boat; and, secure plants or lawn furniture that could become projectiles.  
• If your home is prone to flooding, move items off of the floor space
• If you opt to leave the island it is advisable to turn off your water supply at the customer shut off valve

During the Storm Event

• It is highly advisable to shelter in place when wind force and rain begin to increase
• NEVER APPROACH A DOWNED POWER LINE – CONSIDER IT AND THE GROUND AROUND IT TO BE ENERGIZED
• If you lose power contact Dominion Energy at 1-888-333-4465
• If you have an emergency or see suspicious activity DIAL 9-1-1; Police and Fire will respond immediately. For Police, Fire or Water & Sewer non-emergency contact Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch at 843-743-7200

What the Town is Doing

• Town Hall is operating at OPCON 2. The Municipal Emergency Operations Center will be partially staffed  beginning Thursday evening; non-essential staff will be dismissed accordingly should weather conditions deteriorate during the day
• Sandbags are available at the temporary Fire Station on Hennessy Street with sand available on Quarter Street
• All storm preparations were completed Monday of this week.  Staff is standing by at the ready to respond during the event and initiate recovery/damage assessment operations at first light Saturday
• At this time there are no plans to restrict access to the Island
• At this time there are no plans to initiate a curfew on the Island
• Sullivan’s Island Police and Fire Departments will have additional staffing to patrol and respond during the evening

If you have any questions please email abenke@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Regards,

Andy Benke
Town Administrator
Town of Sullivan's Island