Published - Monday, Sept. 29th 2025
THE TROPICS: Forecast tracks continue to keep Tropical Storm Imelda further from Lowcountry
First Alert Weather Day canceled for Tuesday - By Live 5's Patrick Phillips, Zachary Bordner, Victoria Blair and P.J. Williams
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The latest computer models remain in agreement early Monday morning that Tropical Storm Imelda won’t make landfall in South Carolina.
The Live 5 Weather Team canceled a First Alert Weather Day for Tuesday based on the latest data, which calls for fewer effects for the Lowcountry.
The storm’s latest position
As of Monday, Imelda was abotu 315 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Air Force reconnaissance data tracked the center of Tropical Storm Imelda near latitude 25.1 north, longitude 77.1 west. Imelda is moving toward the north near 8 mph, and a generally northward motion is expected to continue through Monday. Imelda is expected to turn sharply to the east-northeast on Tuesday.
On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across the northwestern Bahamas on Monday and then turn east-northeastward, moving away from the southeastern U.S. by the middle part of this week.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and Imelda is forecast to become a hurricane by Tuesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles, primarily east of the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 996 mb, or 29.42 inches, based on Air Force Reserve reconnaissance dropsonde data.
The National Weather Service reclassified Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine to a tropical depression early on Saturday morning.
What to expect
Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Joey Sovine said moisture from Imelda will move into the area with rounds of showers, a few thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 35 mph are possible on Monday.
“A couple of inches of rain is possible,” he said.
But Hurricane Humberto is expected to continue pulling Imelda out to sea.
The storm is now expected to stay just over 200 miles off the South Carolina coast, meaning a lower impact for the Lowcountry.
The storm will have moved far enough away to justify canceling the First Alert Weather Day designation originally called for Tuesday, he said.
Live 5 First Alert Chief Meteorologist Bill Walsh said Sunday morning forecast models showed more agreement that the system would stay further offshore.
“Timing is on our side,” Live 5 First Alert Chief Meteorologist Bill Walsh said on Sunday morning as he talked about Humberto’s pull on Imelda.
While some coastal flooding is possible, the new models show that smaller amounts of flooding are expected.
But he said the rain will move out on Tuesday, leading to beautiful Fall weather starting Wednesday through the end of the week. State leaders urged preparing for worst on Saturday.
Sunday’s updates were a departure from data coming in a day earlier that prompted Gov. Henry McMaster and his Team South Carolina to hold a Saturday afternoon briefing.
McMaster, spoke of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s arrival and devastation through the western part of the state, an area that does not typically feel a direct impact.
McMaster said on Saturday there were no plans to issue evacuation orders and state officials confirmed there are no plans to open shelters ahead of the storm as of Saturday afternoon.
Be he urged people to make sure their families were prepared for tropical weather, warning of the possibility of winds, heavy rain and flooding.
John Quagliariello, a warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Columbia office, said the depression’s interaction with Hurricane Humberto and will determine the effects on the Palmetto State.
Quagliariello said that as of Saturday, there was the possibility that the storm could stall off the coast before making a turn back toward the Atlantic.
The effects from the wind will depend on the track, he said. But coastal areas should prepare for tropical-storm-force or even hurricane-force winds.
The latest rainfall estimates show between six inches to a foot of rainfall in the eastern part of the state, with some locally-higher amounts, which he said could pose “a significant inland flood threat.”
Along the coast, they expect significant beach erosion, high surf and dangerous rip currents.
“Storm surge flooding is also a concern, especially for vulnerable, low-lying coastal locations, even if landfall does not occur,” he said.
He said heavy rain bands associated with Tropical Depression Nine are expected to affect the state from Monday through Tuesday night and potentially later into the week if the storm slows down.
Gov. Henry McMaster and his "Team South Carolina" held a briefing Saturday afternoon on how the state is preparing for tropical weather.
McMaster declared a state of emergency on Friday ahead of the storm’s anticipated arrival.
The governor’s state of emergency declaration activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and directs the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to begin statewide preparation and coordination procedures with all relevant local, state, and federal agencies in advance of the landfall of a potential Tropical Storm or Hurricane. It also allows state and local emergency management agencies to be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for storm-related expenses.
“As this storm approaches our coast, I am issuing a State of Emergency to ensure Team South Carolina is able to access and deploy the resources and personnel needed to prepare for and respond to this storm,” McMaster said. “While the storm’s arrival, speed, and intensity remain hard to predict, we do know that it will bring significant wind, heavy rainfall, and flooding across the entire state of South Carolina. We have seen this before. Now is the time to start paying attention to forecasts, updates, and alerts from official sources and begin making preparations.”
The Live 5 Weather team declared Monday and Tuesday First Alert Weather Days because of the potential for rain and flooding from the system.
As a developing system in the Atlantic is expected to affect Lowcountry weather early next week, leaders are taking action to prepare for it.
City of Charleston
City leaders have deployed stormwater pumps and Charleston Police verified that barricades are deployed.
Charleston City Council hosted an emergency meeting Friday afternoon to discuss the potential effects of an as-yet-unnamed system that is expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda. Forecasts are largely pushing the system toward the South Carolina coast, but there is still disagreement on the exact path and the storm’s strength when it makes landfall.
Council members met to go over plans and protocols to handle tropical weather. All city departments have been on notice about the potential effects since Thursday.
City leaders have deployed stormwater pumps and Charleston Police verified that barricades are deployed. The Charleston Fire Department will have its high-water vehicles ready. The city’s Public Works Department is working on a sandbag plan.
The city has lowered lake levels to prevent flooding ahead of expected rain.
“Uncertainty doesn’t mean don’t prepare,” Charleston Deputy Fire Chief Mike Julazadeh said. “We need to think about emergency kits, think about things that we might find in our hurricane guides on Charleston County, Berkeley County, South Carolina websites, and then also know your zones. For example, the city, downtown, we’re in Zone B, West Ashley is Zone C. So we need to be familiar with our zones in case we have to evacuate.”
“Now is the time to prepare. Get your house in order, get gas, get cash, get your boats off the water, do all those necessary things in the event we do have significant impacts to our area,” Director of Emergency Management for Charleston County Justice Pierce said. “What we do know is that once these storms start to pass through the islands, they’re going to have a chance that they’ll start to rapidly intensify, which means our preparedness window is going to start to shrink in terms of getting ready for this storm.”
North Charleston
All City of North Charleston offices will operate on a normal schedule until further notice, but city leaders say this is likely to change based on storm forecasts.
North Charleston Sanitation services will operate as scheduled until otherwise notified. But city leaders asked residents to avoid placing yard debris and household items curbside until after the storm.
The North Charleston Public Works department and supporting staff are actively clearing drains, ditches, and low-lying areas ahead of the approaching tropical system. Staff remains on standby to respond quickly as conditions change.
The city’s Municipal Court will be closed from Monday through Tuesday. However, bond hearings will take place daily. All individuals with scheduled court dates will be notified by mail of their rescheduled dates.
All recreational, cultural arts, and senior center programs and activities, including athletics, are canceled from Saturday until Tuesday. Facilities such as Athletic Buildings, Community Centers, and Senior Centers will remain closed through Tuesday.
Charleston County
Charleston County Council declared a state of emergency Friday afternoon.
The primary threat to Charleston County is expected to be heavy rainfall and strong winds, which could arrive as early as Monday morning, the county said in a release.
The county’s Emergency Management officials will stay in close communication with the National Weather Service through the weekend.
At this time, no operational changes have been announced, and Charleston County continues to operate at OPCON 3.
Berkeley County
Berkeley County Emergency Management officials are monitoring the likelihood of heavy rain from the system over the weekend.
Crews with Berkeley County Roads and Bridges are checking flood-prone areas, storm drains, and culverts throughout the County ahead of the storm.
The County’s Emergency Operations Center is currently at OPCON 3, normal operating conditions.
Georgetown County
Georgetown County declared a State of Emergency Friday afternoon and said it would elevate its Emergency Management Department to OPCON 2 as of 10 a.m. Saturday.
OPCON 2 represents an “enhanced state of readiness,” meaning the county begins actively implementing its emergency operations plans and coordinating more closely with local, state and federal partners.
“By moving to OPCON 2, we are taking proactive steps to ensure Georgetown County is ready to respond if this system brings impacts to our area,” Georgetown County Emergency Services Director Brandon Ellis said. “While it is still too soon to know the exact path and strength of the storm, this change positions us to act quickly if conditions worsen.”
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
TROPICS UPDATE: McMaster, Chas. declare emergency, plus, Sandbag locations
City of Charleston declares local State of Emergency ahead of tropical weather
By Live 5's Zachary Bordner Published: Sep. 27, 2025 at 9 am EDT
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Charleston has declared a local State of Emergency ahead of tropical weather that is expected to bring heavy rain, coastal flooding and tropical storm force winds to the area.
The City says this declaration allows the City to move resources quickly; coordinate with county, state and federal partners; and position for potential FEMA reimbursement if needed.
“Today’s action is about readiness,” says Mayor William Cogswell. “Our teams are clearing drains, staging pumps and barricades, and adjusting staffing so we can respond quickly if conditions worsen. We’ll keep residents informed with clear, timely updates as the forecast evolves.”
Right now, the city says it is working on the following, ahead of the storm:
- Clearing storm drains and roadside ditches in flood-prone areas
- Positioning temporary pumps at vulnerable intersections and low-lying spots
- Staging barricades to close streets that become unsafe.
- Lowered water levels at Colonial and Dotterer Lakes.
- Adjusting staffing schedules across Public Service, Stormwater, Police, Fire, Recreation, and Communications for rapid response.
- Ongoing coordination with Charleston County and state emergency management partners.
If needed, City officials say they are also prepared to open municipal parking garages for free storm parking, adjust garbage collection schedules, modify recreation programs and change facility hours for safety.
City leaders are reminding people to never drive through standing water or move barricades, secure outdoor items, check gutters and drains near your property, keep flashlights and medications nearby, and stay updated as conditions evolve.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Photo: BeritK / iStock / Getty Images
SANDBAGS: Lowcountry officials offer sandbags ahead of possible tropical weather
By Live 5's Patrick Phillips Published: Sep. 26, 2025 at 11:56 AM EDT
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Multiple Lowcountry governments are releasing plans to offer sandbags to their residents to help prepare for tropical weather into next week.
Berkeley County
Sandbags are available on a first-come, first-served basis for Berkeley County residents at the following self-serve sites:
- Hanahan Recreation Center Ballfields: 3100 Mabeline Road, Hanahan
- Goose Creek Public Works: 200 Button Hall Ave., Goose Creek
- Cainhoy Rural Vol. Fire Department – Station 6: 1004 United Drive, Huger
- Cainhoy Rural Vol. Fire Department – Station 1: 2125 Cainhoy Road, Huger
- Cordesville Rural Vol. Fire Dept – Station 1: 1931 SC-402, Moncks Corner
Dorchester County
Dorchester County residents will begin sandbag distribution at 5 p.m. on Friday at the following locations:
- Harleyville Town Hall (122 W Main St, Harleyville)
- Ridgeville Town Hall (105 School Street Ridgeville)
- Davis-Bailey Park (5190 E Jim Bilton Boulevard, St George)
- Oakbrook Middle School (286 Old Fort Drive, Ladson)
These locations will be open until dusk on Friday, and then from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The county will open one additional location on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- Parking Lot Next to Memorial Stadium/John McKissick Field, located off Stadium Circle and S Magnolia Street in Summerville (behind Summerville Elementary School and in front of Spann Elementary School)
Residents must be prepared to fill their own bags and bring a shovel. Bags will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is a limit of 10 per household or business.
The County will replenish supplies when possible. If additional resources are needed for properties, sandbags can be purchased at home improvement and other retail stores.
Isle of Palms
People who live on the Isle of Palms will be able to pick up sandbags beginning Friday.
The city will offer sand and sandbags beginning at noon on Friday.
Residents can pick up sandbags on the second floor lobby of the Isle of Palms Public Safety building, located at 30 J.C. Long Blvd. and the sand pile is located in the large municipal parking lot at 1174 Pavillion Drive, Isle of Palms Police Sgt. Matthew Storen said.
The city is allowing 10 bags per household.
Police say residents must bring their own shovel as no city staff will be available to bag sand.
Police are asking residents not to take sand from the beach to fill sandbags. The beaches will need as much sand as possible with any potential storm or flooding, Storen said.
North Charleston
Sandbags for North Charleston residents can be obtained starting Saturday from 11 a.m. until supplies are depleted at the following locations:
- Gussie Greene Community Center, 2008 Success St., North Charleston
- North Charleston Athletic Center, 5794 Casper Padgett Way, North Charleston
- North Charleston Aquatic Center, 8610 Patriot Blvd., North Charleston
Proof of North Charleston residency must be provided. No businesses. This is a drive-through operation. Residents will pull up to one of the listed distribution sites, and city staff will load up to six filled sandbags into the vehicle until supplies are exhausted.
Town of James Island
A limited supply of free sand and bags will be available to residents on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town Hall, 1122 Dills Bluff Rd., to build their own sandbags (limit of 10).
Residents should bring their own shovel to build the sandbags.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Photo: gguy44 / iStock / Getty Images
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Humberto became the season’s third hurricane as of early Friday morning while what’s expected to be the next named storm will affect the Lowcountry after the weekend.
The Live 5 Weather team has declared Monday and Tuesday as First Alert Weather Days because of the possibility of effects from what is expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda.
Live 5 First Alert Chief Meteorologist Bill Walsh says Humberto could become a Category 3 hurricane over the next few days. He expects Humberto to stay out to sea, well to the east, but the track of a second area being monitored could be a different story.
Humberto is moving toward the northwest near 3 mph. A slow west-northwest to northwest motion is expected during the next couple of days.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph with higher gusts. Significant strengthening is forecast, and Humberto is expected to become a hurricane on Friday and a major hurricane this weekend.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb or 29.47 inches.
Tropical wave expected to become Imelda, get closer to SC
The wave, which is currently labeled Invest 94, is expected to move northward toward the Lowcountry over the weekend, likely as either Tropical Storm Imelda or as a potential tropical cyclone, one step before a tropical storm designation.
Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Dorien Minor says the general forecast consensus brings the system toward the Carolinas late Monday or early Tuesday as a tropical storm or weak hurricane.
As of Friday morning, showers and thunderstorms continue to show signs of organization with the wave, which was near Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
An area of low pressure is expected to form along the wave Friday when it moves near the southeast Bahamas and then become a tropical depression when it is near the central and northwest Bahamas later on Friday or over the weekend, and then track northwestward or northward over the southwestern Atlantic.
The National Hurricane Center says there is an 90% chance that a tropical wave, currently...
The National Hurricane Center says there is an 90% chance that a tropical wave, currently labeled Invest 94, will develop into a tropical depression within the next week and a 70% chance it develops by the weekend.(Live 5 News)
Walsh said computer models are “all over the place” for this system because it is likely to interact with Humberto.
“We’ve got pretty good consensus with Humberto that it becomes the dominant storm. This one could actually dance around it,” he said. “We call it the Fujiwhara Effect.”
When that happens, the two storms could influence each other and Humberto could hopefully keep Imelda out to sea. But it could also depend on where a weakness in an upper low could allow Imelda to move closer to the coast.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.