Ian’s Next Stop: Georgia and South Carolina

After Hurricane Ian barrels via Florida, transferring offshore later Thursday, it’s anticipated to show north and make a second landfall in South Carolina on Friday as a robust tropical storm near hurricane power.

Heavy rainfall and storm surge had been anticipated to provide flash, city and river flooding throughout elements of South Carolina, particularly alongside the coast, and southeastern Georgia on Friday and thru the weekend, the National Weather Service said. The storm was then anticipated to weaken after transferring farther inland throughout the Carolinas on Friday evening and Saturday, the Climate Service mentioned.

The governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia declared states of emergency and urged residents to watch forecasts and make contingency plans, similar to having emergency kits prepared. Sturdy wind gusts and heavy rainfall are anticipated to trigger downed bushes, energy outages and flooding, the National Weather Service in Atlanta mentioned.

Because the storm strikes additional north on Friday and Saturday, North Carolina might see flooding and tornadoes, with elements of the coast probably getting seven inches or extra of rain, the state’s Division of Public Security mentioned on Wednesday. The heavy rainfall might trigger landslides within the mountains, the assertion mentioned.

Tornadoes stay attainable in Florida on Thursday and within the coastal Carolinas on Friday, the Climate Service mentioned.

Ian is predicted to strategy Virginia from the Appalachians, with strengthening northeasterly winds. It might trigger appreciable flash, city and river flooding this weekend throughout parts of the southern Appalachians, the place landslides might additionally happen, the Climate Service mentioned. Rainfall from Ian within the Blacksburg, Va., space is anticipated to start on Friday, with durations of average to heavy rain via the weekend.