Dorian New Track Brings it Closer to the South Carolina Coast

Hurricane Dorian is currently a category 3 hurricane as it regained some strength last night and is passing offshore around Beaufort this morning as it works its way up the South Carolina coast. 

Lowcountry residents this morning are looking at Tropical Storm force winds across the area with hurricane force winds and storm surge on the beaches and in the wetlands nearby.

The current forecast for Dorian is for the center to stay off shore as it works its way up the coast of South Carolina and into North Carolina before it has an interaction with the North Carolina Outer Banks.

 

From the National Hurricane Center:

“Life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are expected along portions of the coast of South Carolina, regardless of the exact track of Dorian’s center,” 

With the storm currently passing Beaufort numerous downed trees and powerlines are being reported with crews working to clear the debris as it happens to keep services running and roads open.

 

Dominion Energy reported power outages from Hilton Head to Charleston has surpassed 100,000 outages early this morning. 

And with winds and rain continuing that number continues to rise.

In the Charleston area more than 62,000 people had lost power in the predawn hours. 

More than 13,000 were without power in the Beaufort area.

 

The center of the storm was 105 miles southeast of Charleston at 5 a.m. with thunderstorms and strong winds.

Day-long tornado warnings for Thursday were issued between Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Wilmington. N.C..

 

Yesterday afternoon Midlands area school districts announced closings as a precaution and because of travel concerns.

Richland One and Two schools and offices will be closed today with no plans for Friday’s classes announced.

Lexington school districts One, Two, Three, Four and Five also announced their schools will be closed today as well.

Kershaw and Fairfield county schools also are closed today.

 

As Hurricane Dorian threatens the coast, the state’s attorney general has put South Carolina’s price-gouging law into effect.

If you believe you have been a victim of price gouging, the attorney general’s office suggests that you;

1. Note the time, place, address, and name of the gas station or business
2. Note the price you paid
3. Note any prices nearby and get the same information on those stations or businesses
4. Take pictures that identify the business, along with the price
5. Provide your name and contact information

Examples of price-gouging can be sent along with documentation to [email protected]. 

A message can also be left at 803-737-3953, or fill out the form available on www.scag.gov.