City of Charleston Prepares for Severe Thunderstorms

City of Charleston Media Release

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, a line of severe thunderstorms is expected to impact the Charleston area this afternoon, producing as much as three inches of rain, with locally higher amounts possible, between 3 and 8 pm. The forecast also includes the possibility of damaging wind gusts exceeding 58 mph.

City crews are out preparing for potential storm impacts and report the following at this time:

Stormwater Department: Stormwater personnel have secured and deployed pumps in areas of known flooding throughout the city to assist with stormwater drainage related to the weather event.

Environmental Services Division: Crews are out clearing debris from storm drains to ensure efficient drainage during the storm and are prepared to assist with post-event clean-up, as needed.

Charleston Fire Department: Fire Department personnel have activated their high water team and have a high water vehicle prepared to perform rescues, as needed.

Charleston Police Department: CPD will monitor the safety of the city’s roadways throughout the storm and barricade flooded streets, as necessary.

Emergency Management Division: The Public Safety Operations Center will open at 3 p.m. today and remain activated to manage the city’s response throughout the storm.

Please follow @CharlestonPD on Twitter or check https://gis.charleston-sc.gov/road-closures for the latest updates on road closures.

City of Charleston Emergency Management Director Shannon Scaff said, “The National Weather Service tells us that this could be a significant weather event, so all of the normal precautions apply: monitor local media for the latest weather forecast, use caution when traveling on the roadways and never drive through standing water. As always, the safety of our citizens is our number one priority, so city crews stand ready to respond to any impacts the storm may bring.”

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