FIRST ALERT: Flooding possible as rain continues into Saturday

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Some portions of the Lowcountry could see localized flooding as the area sees a second day of rain.

Live 5 Meteorologist Chris Holtzman says additional rainfall totals for Saturday could reach between 1 and 3 inches and by the time the rain moves out by Sunday, some areas may see up to a total of five inches of rain.

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The greatest flood risk is in Georgetown and Horry Counties, although all of the Lowcountry is under an increased chance for localized flooding, he said.

The National Weather Service continues to warn of gusty winds and strong rip currents for the Lowcountry.

Showers are expected to continue throughout Saturday with bands of heavy rain and even thunderstorms possible. Some areas may see areas of patchy fog in the morning.

A wind advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. Saturday with winds expected to be 20 to 25 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Holtzman said wind gusts of up to 40 mph were detected early Saturday morning near Kiawah Island. McClellanville recorded 36-mph. wind gusts while Johns Island recorded gusts of 31 mph. Goose Creek saw wind gusts of 27 mph.

Drivers should be careful of windy conditions while on the road.

Along the beaches, a high surf advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. as large breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet in the surf zone are expected. With the high waves, there is an increased risk of rip currents.

That means dangerous swimming and surfing conditions as well as localized beach erosion. Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water because of the dangerous surf conditions.

Swimmers should make sure they stay near a lifeguard.

A swimmer who is caught in a rip current should relax and float rather than try to swim against the current. If they are able, they should swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Swimmers should take the risk seriously: rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

The Live 5 weather team declared Friday and Saturday as First Alert Days because of the possibility of up to several inches of rain and gusty winds for the first half of the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Holtzman says an isolated shower will be around Sunday morning as the area of low pressure moves out of the area. Some sunshine will return for the afternoon.

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