CHARLESTON, S.C. — City leaders are bracing for significant flooding on the downtown peninsula as king tides and heavy rain tied to Hurricane Isaias arrive over the weekend, while Charleston County Public Library branches plan to close Saturday.
The National Weather Service forecasts strong impacts beginning Friday night through Sunday morning as the Category 3 storm approaches the Florida Panhandle. The heaviest rain, about 3 to 4 inches in most areas, is expected Saturday afternoon into the evening.
Tides in Charleston Harbor are forecast to peak near 7.7 feet Saturday morning and remain elevated through the evening. Isolated tornadoes and dangerous rip currents are also possible along the coast.
Under the city’s Active Flood Mitigation Plan, stormwater crews have been clearing drains and debris since Sunday, mobile pumps are fueled for activation, and Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer were to be lowered ahead of the rain. Barricades are staged throughout the city, and the Charleston Fire Department will staff two high-water vehicles.
Five city parking garages will be free for city residents to move vehicles from flood-prone areas. Residents may enter after 6 p.m. Friday and must exit before 4 p.m. Sunday.
Separately, Charleston County Public Library branches and offices will close Saturday because of potential severe weather. Closures include book drops and automated material returns, and officials asked patrons not to leave materials outside book drops.
All branches and offices are also scheduled to close Monday for staff training and development, with book drops and automated returns expected to reopen Tuesday, Oct. 13. Patrons can use digital resources during the closures.
