Discover CharlestonHermine: When a Tropical Storm Comes Calling

Your first reaction may be a slight panic, but in truth your second reaction may be don’t panic. With this storm the wind is going to blow (a lot) and it is going to rain (a lot).  This happens here in the lowcountry from time to time,  but think on it like this: the city of Charleston, SC has many beautiful old buildings that war, pestilence and severe hurricane have not destroyed and neither will this tropical nuisance.  However there are a few things you do need to think about as the tropical storm approaches and here are some tips for you:

The wind will blow. The latest reports were that some 60 mph gusts are expected.  Stick your hand out of a vehicle window at 60mph and you will see what it is going to feel like.  Those plantation shutters on your home, better make sure they are secured.  If they are true hurricane shutters then why not close them, especially if you live near the coast.  Secure that garden furniture also, if you are in a hurry then throw it in the swimming pool where it will be quite safe until the weekend storm has passed (not the cushions!).   Park the vehicles away from that old tree that really needs taking down, take the potted plants off the railings and put them on the deck.  

The rain will fall.  Remember last year when it fell in Biblical proportions? Well, this one probably won’t be as bad as that was. We live in the lowcountry, which is a flat, coastal geography and water runs off easily rather than rising and rising as it did in the valleys near Columbia.  So go home early before the rain starts rather than when everyone else is trying to.  Check that the drain covers are not blocked and gutters are free.  Lift up anything on grade that is likely to get damage if it floods (We dislike building on grade for that reason alone.) If you are vulnerable to flood then best get some sandbags to keep out the worst of it.  Water always takes the path of least resistance so send it elsewhere.  If you do get inundated then here is some advice from a previous blog on what to do about it. 

The tide will rise – storm surge of a few feet of it they predict.  That will affect anyone on beachfront and marsh front and downtown where they need the rain to run off as quickly as it can. Many of those downtown roads get annoyingly flooded with salt and brackish water from the rising tide. Your house may be elevated and safe but your vehicle won’t be so best move it to higher ground. Here is a map we created to show you where the vulnerable areas might be. Manipulate the scale to raise the NOAA sea level to see what may happen. Remember the only time this will be in effect is high tide or a few hours either side.  Along the beach those storm waves are best left to the sea birds, so don’t swim or try to surf, the rip currents will be dangerous. Wash out may also be dangerous and worse still once land is washed out it becomes the property of the Federal Government and can’t be easily refilled or otherwise protected.   You might want to slip your boat off its mooring also and get it secured on dry land.  

Now Tropical Storm Hermine looks like it will blow through and de-escalate along the way. That is not the case if it were still traveling over the sea so as with all homes in the low country make sure you have a Hurricane Preparedness Plan, emergency supplies and know the exit routs should the worst threaten to become reality.  

Note: Look around our City, it’s seen all this and much worse before and is still here.  Adventures are generally not fun whilst they are happening but are always remembered differently in hindsight.  Stay safe as always.