CHARLESTON, S.C. – Near-record coastal flooding is ongoing in Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday as a powerful storm system working its way up the East Coast combined with the high tide to create problems throughout the city.
Officials are urging motorists to stay off roadways as flash flooding and coastal flooding are happening across Charleston County, including downtown Charleston.
Police have closed several roads in downtown Charleston due to the floodwaters inundating streets.
The National Weather Service office in Charleston said early Sunday afternoon the tide in the Charleston Harbor reached 9.86 feet (mean lower low water). Not only is that the highest tide on record not associated with a tropical cyclone, but it’s topped only by Hurricane Hugo (1989), an unnamed hurricane in 1940 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.
“Tides in Charleston Harbor are still rising,” the NWS Charleston warned just before 3 p.m. local time.
The rain and strong winds are part of a powerful storm system working its way up the East Coast.
After slamming Florida on Saturday, the system continues to make its way up the East Coast, prompting Flood Warnings and severe weather alerts.
The system will continue to pack high winds, coastal flooding and severe weather as it continues up the East Coast through midweek.