City of Charleston to begin initial preps for Tropical Storm Idalia

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Charleston says they have started their preparations for Tropical Storm Idalia, which is scheduled to impact the Lowcountry later this week.

City of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, Interim Police Chief Chito Walker, Fire Chief Daniel Curia, Emergency Management Director Ben Almquist and other city officials gave an update on the storm preparations in a news conference Monday. You can watch the full conference below:

“We don’t anticipate at all that there will be any evacuation calls for this storm,” Tecklenburg said. “Again, it’s just predicted to be a tropical storm by the time it reaches Charleston, but we’re just being a little careful.”

As of the 5 p.m. advisory, Idalia is centered around 35 miles south-southwest of the western tip of Cuba with maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour.

READ MORE: FIRST ALERT: Idalia to impact Lowcountry midweek, forecast to become hurricane near Cuba

The National Hurricane Center projects Idalia will strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane before impacting the Florida Panhandle. It is then forecasted to weaken into a tropical storm before arriving in the Lowcountry.

“Wednesday evening and throughout the night, I’m going to advise our citizens to just stay put, stay home, stay in a safe place, stay secure,” Tecklenburg said. “Don’t put our first responders at risk, just stay home and stay put.”

City officials said they are expecting around an 8-foot-high tide in the Charleston Harbor on Wednesday when Idalia arrives, bringing flooding to the area. Last year, Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 1 system near Georgetown, bringing heavy flooding and strong winds to the Lowcountry.

Officials said they have already started preparing for whatever comes their way.

“Hopefully, the impacts won’t be as severe as other storms we’ve seen but given the coincidence of being at the same time as we were expecting some super high tides, we’re taking every precaution,” Tecklenburg said. “We’re taking this storm seriously. It is the season, so it’s time for our citizens to be ready for storm activity.”

The mayor said city offices will close starting at noon on Wednesday.

Public works employees have been installing several pumps, cleaning ditches and lowering water levels at Lake Dotterer in West Ashley and in Colonial Lake on the peninsula ahead of the storm.

The mayor said trash pickup will run on Wednesday, but the city is asking residents not to put out their trash on Thursday or Friday.

The city will be giving away sandbags at the following three locations on Tuesday and Wednesday:

• Bees Landing Recreation Center, 1580 Ashley Gardens Blvd.
• James Island Town Hall, 1122 Dills Bluff Rd.
• Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Dr.

Six parking garages that total around 1,000 spaces will open starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday for anyone who needs to move their car to higher ground. The following garages will be open during the storm:

• Aquarium Parking Garage, 24 Calhoun St.
• Visitor’s Center Garage, 63 Mary St.
• Queen Street Parking Garage, 93 Queen St.
• East Bay/Prioleau Parking Garage, 25 Prioleau St.
• 99 Westedge St. Parking Garage
• Charleston Tech Center, 4 Conroy St.

“Maybe it seems like we’re taking this too seriously, but the coincidence of having this high tide is critical in nature,” Tecklenburg said. “If you live in a place near the marsh, where an 8-foot or so tide would impact your property, please be on the lookout.”

Tecklenburg also said the Spring-Fishburne deep underground drainage tunnels in the city are working and should help move water out faster than previous storms. Regardless, he urged residents to remain prepared.

“If you haven’t gotten your supplies in order for your household, please go ahead and get that straight, so you’ll be ready no matter what comes,” Tecklenburg said.

Walker said they believe several roads will be closed due to flooding, and they want people to monitor for any potential closures.

Curia said they will have two high water vehicles in service during the storm to help rescue anyone from a flooded area. He also said each truck will have chainsaws on board to help clear any trees that may have fallen during the storm.

The city said residents can call their help desk at 843-724-7311 with any questions they may have.