In response to the escalating threat from Tropical Storm Debby, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared an Official State of Emergency for South Carolina. The City of Charleston continues to implement urgent measures as the storm approaches, with forecasts indicating the potential for catastrophic urban flooding.
Key Updates:
Severe Flooding Expected: Tropical Storm Debby is anticipated to deliver 20-30 inches of rainfall over the region, according to National Weather Service Charleston. Heavy, flooding rain will start on Monday, but the heaviest rain is expected to fall on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The storm's primary concern is its potential to stall over Charleston, leading to extended periods of heavy rainfall and severe flooding.
Residents Urged to Stay Engaged and Prepared: Officials emphasize the importance of residents checking and clearing storm drains in front of their homes and businesses to prevent debris buildup. This action is crucial in reducing flooding impacts on roadways. Given the rare and dangerous flooding expected from Tropical Storm Debby, residents are strongly advised to stay off the roads to ensure their safety. Additionally, residents should stock up on essential supplies to last at least three days to remain self-sufficient during the storm.
Emergency City Council Meeting Today: Mayor Cogswell and City Council with have an emergency meeting today at 5:00 p.m. The public can view this meeting on the City of Charleston’s official YouTube Channel.
Parking Garages Open: In light of the anticipated flooding, city parking garages will open beginning today at 3:00 p.m. until Thursday at 8:00a.m. (subject to change). Residents are strongly urged to move their vehicles to these higher ground locations to avoid flood damage. The following garages will be opened for free:
- Aquarium parking garage (24 Calhoun Street)
- Visitor Center parking garage (63 Mary Street)
- 99 WestEdge parking garage (99 West Edge Street)
- Charleston Tech Center parking garage (997 Morrison Drive)
- East Bay/Prioleau parking garage (25 Prioleau Street)
The Queen Street Parking Garage (93 Queen Street) will open for free beginning Monday at 5:00p.m. until Thursday at 8:00a.m.
Please note that with the forecasted amount of rain, the ground floor of the Aquarium and VRTC garages are prone to flooding. While this does not impact the ability to park in the garages, it may impact the ability to exit the garage early before flood waters have the opportunity to recede.
Sandbag Distribution: Sandbag distribution will continue tomorrow, August 5, starting at 7:00 a.m. until supplies run out or weather conditions worsen. Residents should bring their own shovels, and a limit of 10 bags per residence will be enforced. Distribution sites include:
- 1580 Ashley Gardens Blvd – Bee’s Landing Recreation Center (West Ashley)
- Hampton Park, Mary Murray Dr. at Ashley Ave. – Parking Lot by Ball Fields (Peninsula)
- Sevens Farms Drive – Governor’s Park Parking Lot near the Dog Park (Daniel Island)
- 1051 Fort Johnson Rd, Bayview Soccer Complex – Circular Drive Adjacent to Bathrooms and Concession Stand (James Island)
Public Meetings and Collection Services: All public meetings at the City of Charleston are cancelled for the remainder of the week. Garbage collection will proceed as scheduled tomorrow but will be expedited. No trash or garbage collection will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday (subject to change).
Recreation and Summer Camps: Summer camps will operate as scheduled tomorrow morning with an early release at 3:00 p.m. However, camps will be canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Municipal Golf Course Camp is canceled for the entire week. Please note that all schedules are subject to change based on evolving weather conditions.
Continued Preparations:
- Street sweeping will begin this afternoon to remove debris from streets and storm drains. Crews will continue their work through tomorrow, provided conditions remain manageable.
- The Charleston Police and Fire Departments will deploy all available staff starting Monday to enhance response efforts.
- Barricades will be placed on streets in advance of heavy rain and high tides.
- High-water vehicles and crews with essential resources will be mobilized.
- Water levels at Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer have been lowered.
- Storm drains on flood-prone streets will be cleared, with temporary pumps installed in vulnerable areas.
Stay Informed: Residents are urged to stay informed through local media and follow the City of Charleston's official channels for the latest updates on the storm and its impact:
City officials will continue to provide regular updates from the National Weather Service regarding the storm’s progression and local impacts.
