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Tropical Cyclone Idalia in Southeast Georgia/South Carolina
Hurricane Idalia impacted southeast Georgia before weakening to a Tropical Storm as it moved into southeast South Carolina on Aug. 30, 2023.
Storm Overview
Idalia moved from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico region up through southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina before exiting into the Atlantic Ocean just south of Myrtle Beach. Tropical storm force winds were felt all along the southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina coastline. Very heavy rain fell across inland areas west of the Interstate-95 corridor leading to flooding in a number of locations. Idalia's passage coincident with high tide resulted in a damaging storm surge across portions of the South Carolina coast. A few tropical tornadoes produced EF0 and EF1 damage, particularly in the Charleston Tri-County area.
What is a Tropical Cyclone?
Tropical Cyclone is an all encompassing term for Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm, and Hurricane. Learn more here .
Tropical Cyclone Idalia 5-day Forecast Track, Initial Wind Field, and Watch/Warning Graphics for each regular advisory. Images from the National Hurricane Center.
Storm Surge
One of the major impacts from Tropical Cyclone Idalia was the storm surge, mainly across southeast South Carolina. Multiple locations reported 2-3 feet of inundation, with the Charleston Harbor Tide Gage measuring 3.47 feet MHHW (9.23 feet MLLW). This value is the 6th highest on record , dating back to 1921.
Dr. Goldstein, PhD 6'1 187 IQ on X: "@chswx Wentworth pic.twitter.com/JEDEwXHNi0 / Twitter"
01 / 08
1
St. Helena Island, SC
Storm surge flooding entered the building at Gay Fish Company on St. Helena Island, SC. Picture taken around 7:45 PM EDT on August 30, 2023.
2
Seabrook Island, SC
Storm surge flooding along Captain Sams Rd near the St. John's Fire Department on Seabrook Island, SC. Picture taken around 7:45 PM EDT on August 30, 2023.
3
Folly Beach, SC
Storm surge flooding at E Cooper Ave & 9th St E. Access to Folly Beach was cut off due to flood water and debris on Folly Road. Picture taken around 9 PM EDT on August 30, 2023.
4
Downtown Charleston, SC
Storm surge flooding at 14 Lockwood Drive. Picture taken around 9 PM EDT on August 30, 2023.
5
Downtown Charleston, SC
High water mark along Washington St in Downtown Charleston. Measured to be about 2 ft. Picture taken on August 31, 2023 after the flood waters had receded.
6
Downtown Charleston, SC
Storm surge flooding at high tide along the High Battery in Downtown Charleston. Picture taken around 8:40 PM EDT on August 30, 2023.
7
Mount Pleasant, SC
Storm surge flooding in Geechie Seafood along Shem Creek. Pictures taken around 8:30 PM EDT on August 30, 2023.
8
McClellanville, SC
Storm surge flooding along Pinckney Street in McClellanville, SC. Estimated to be around 2 to 3 feet deep. Picture taken around 8:30 PM EDT on August 30, 2023.
Trooper Bob on X: "Charleston, SC THE BATTERY! A police officer puts up a barricade as the waves are crashing over the sea wall. We are still about an hour from high tide. 🛣️🌊🚧🛻 pic.twitter.com/9Z9x1YFyZJ / Twitter"
Inland & River Flooding
Heavy rainfall from Idalia resulted in multiple Flash Flood Warnings across portions of inland counties. Additionally, rainfall from Idalia resulted in several rivers across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia rising above flood stage.
Storm total rainfall across the forecast area. A list of these rainfall values can be found here .
River forecast points across the forecast area. In total, 5 out of 6 rivers entered flood stage. Comparing this image of the river forecast points with the previous image of storm total rainfall, the points in flood stage were all downstream of the heaviest rainfall.
Wind Gusts
Idalia caused tropical storm force winds across many locations across southeast SC and southeast GA.
A downed tree on Riverland Drive at George Griffith Blvd in Charleston, SC. Pictures from @CharlestonPD on X.
Highest observed wind gusts across the forecast area. A list of these wind values can be found here .
Tornadoes
There were four tornadoes on August 30, 2023 due to Idalia. Three of the tornadoes were rated EF0, while one caused EF1 damage.
WeatherNation on X: "A confirmed #tornado touched down near Charleston, SC this afternoon from the outer bands of #Idalia. Watch as the brief tornado tosses a car right in front of this viewer!#SCwx pic.twitter.com/uDEdzdz4Yz / Twitter"
10:00 AM - Fleming, GA (Liberty County) EF0 Tornado
A weak, brief tornado touched down about 0.5 miles east-southeast of Mt. Olive Church Road in a very rural area. The tornado moved rapidly toward the northwest, ending just west of Mt. Olive Church Road. Along its very short path, it snapped the top of at least one pine tree, uprooted at least one other tree, broke some small to medium branches, and destroyed a small wood shed. The storm damage survey was performed by the Liberty County, GA Emergency Management Agency.
12:22 PM - Goose Creek, SC (Berkeley County) EF0 Tornado
A very brief, weak tornado touched down near the intersection of Camelot Dr. and S. Goose Creek Blvd. During its brief touchdown, it flipped one car on S. Goose Creek Blvd. Police reported that two people were transported to the hospital for minor injuries. This tornado was within an outer rain band of Hurricane Idalia. A video was used to confirm the tornado.
3:30 PM - Mount Pleasant, SC (Charleston County) EF0 Tornado
A tornado, which developed within the outer bands of Hurricane Idalia, began just south of Highway 17, in the Whitehall Terrace Community of Mount Pleasant. In this area, it caused some minor roof damage to at least one home and uprooted several trees. The tornado then crossed Highway 17, where it was presumed to have periodically touched the ground as it crossed over the Wando High School area, causing no discernible damage. As the tornado continued northward into the Carolina Park Community, it caused generally minor damage, snapping some trees and limbs, lifting one portable toilet, and pushing one car into a tree. The tornado then moved into the northeastern portion of the Park West Community, just south of the Wando River. In this area, there was more concentrated damage, where it snapped and uprooted several trees. The tornado then seemed to dissipate as it moved toward the marsh and the Wando River.
4:59 PM - Huger, SC (Berkeley County) EF1 Tornado
A tornado, associated with the outer rain bands of Hurricane Idalia, touched down just south of Eccles Church Road, over Muddy Creek. As the tornado approached Eccles Church Road, it snapped and uprooted several large hard and softwood trees. The tornado continued north-northwest into a heavily wooded area where it sporadically snapped and uprooted many more trees. The tornado continued north-northwestward over a wooded, marshy region producing more minor damage to some trees before ending near Irishtown Road. In addition to the ground survey, high-resolution satellite imagery was also used to fine-tune the track of the tornado.
Marine/Beach Impacts
The combination of high tides, storm surge, and large breaking waves caused significant beach erosion.
Beach erosion at Isle of Palms, SC
Beach erosion at Isle of Palms, SC
Beach erosion at Folly Beach, SC
Erosion on Hunting Island, SC
Dave Williams on X: "Look at the waves destroying the dunes on Edisto Beach! Atlantic Ocean Water is flooding onto Palmetto Blvd. High tide there is 8:10pm! #chswx @NWSCharlestonSC @natwxdesk pic.twitter.com/kbc1XtTG2s / Twitter"
Additional Information
Collection of Storm Reports
Collection of storm reports from across southeast South Carolina and southeastern Georgia. View the text product here .
Additional Links
Post-Storm Report - includes meteorological statistics and impacts across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia
Forecast Advisory Archive - courtesy of NOAA's National Hurricane Center
Tropical Cyclone Idalia Event Review - from NWS Charleston, SC
2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary - from the National Hurricane Center