Hurricane Helene Approaches: Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Grand Strand as Preparations Begin

Hurricane Helene Heads Our Way, Tropical Storm Warning Issued for the Grand Strand

As we brace ourselves here in North Myrtle Beach, it’s hard not to feel a bit anxious with Hurricane Helene making headlines. The storm, which is currently gaining strength, has led to a Tropical Storm Warning being issued across several counties in the Grand Strand and Pee Dee, including Marlboro, Florence, Dillon, Marion, Horry, and Georgetown. As of now, every nook and cranny of South Carolina is under this warning, which signals that we need to stay vigilant.

What’s Happening?

Hurricane Helene is not just any storm; it’s expected to become a Category 4 hurricane, which raises the stakes for everyone involved. The forecasters are in good spirits, indicating that the storm will make landfall in the Big Bend of Florida late Thursday evening or night. Since Helene is a big storm moving quickly, its impacts will reach far and wide, likely affecting areas far inland.

Impacts We Can Expect

So, what’s on the menu for the upcoming days? Let’s break it down:

Timing

The storm’s impact will primarily occur from Thursday night through Friday morning. But don’t worry too much! Things should start looking up by Friday afternoon.

Rain

Get ready for some moisture! Helene will drag tropical moisture into the Carolinas, and we can expect scattered showers starting Thursday, especially in the late afternoon and evening. The heavy rain won’t kick in until Friday morning, somewhere between 5 AM and 11 AM, where we could see a good soaking of about 1-2 inches of rain. While this isn’t expected to cause any serious flooding in our area, it’s always wise to exercise caution on Friday morning.

Wind

Now, let’s talk wind. Although we’re not right in the eye of the storm, our area can still expect some brisk gusts. Get ready for 30-40 mph gusts on Friday morning with a slim chance of isolated gusts hitting 45 mph. Once we hit the afternoon, those winds will start to settle down. At the same time, areas further west towards the Upstate of South Carolina and southwestern North Carolina could experience stronger gusts, peaking between 40-60 mph due to Helene’s rapid movement.

Possible Tornados

Here’s something that might catch your attention—there’s a low tornado risk associated with Helene after 4 AM Friday. As the storm heads north, the chances of a tornado should lessen by noon, but it’s essential to remain cautious as tornadoes can develop quickly.

Coastal Concerns

For those living along the coast, there’s a potential for some minor coastal flooding due to persistent onshore winds, particularly around high tides on Thursday and Friday. But overall, let’s keep things in perspective—while this storm is a notable event for us, it’s a much bigger deal for folks in the western Carolinas.

Staying Updated

It’s clear that we need to stay on top of the situation. Updates will be continuously provided as the storm unfolds, so keep an ear out and check back often to stay informed. Remember, community safety comes first! We may be in for some wild weather, but as always, let’s all look out for each other.