UPDATE 7PM: Charleston PD reports northbound lanes of the Ravenel Bridge remain closed due to the semi-truck that flipped. Unknown timeframe for reopening until crews can safely remove the semi-truck.
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UPDATE 6:49 PM: All southbound lanes of the Ravenel Bridge are open.
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UPDATE 6:39 PM: Charleston County EMS has returned to normal operations meaning there is no longer a code red for area bridges.
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UPDATE 5:47 PM: Southbound lanes of the Ravenel Bridge are closed again.
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UPDATE 5:37 PM: Yeamans Hall is closed at the Piggly Wiggly because of a fallen tree, according to Hanahan PD.
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UPDATE: CARTA says it is suspending all routes that travel over bridges due to high winds. Services will resume after severe weather moves out of the area.
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UPDATE 5:25 PM: Mount Pleasant PD says 2 southbound lanes on the Ravenel Bridge are back open; However, the county still has a code red status on bridges. Northbound lanes are closed.
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UPDATE 5:19 PM: Deputies with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) are reporting multiple downed trees on roadways. A tree was down on Bohicket Road.
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UPDATE: A severe thunderstorm warning for most of the Charleston metro will continue until 6:00 p.m.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Charleston said the storm will contain wind gusts up to 70 mph.
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UPDATE 5:12 PM: Traffic lights are out at Highway 17 and Highway 41, according to CCSO.
Over in Hanahan, Yeamans Hall at Lakeview is closed due to a downed tree.
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UPDATE 5:05 PM: Isle of Palms police urge people to stay off the beach and out of the water due to extremely high surf and dangerous erosion.
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UPDATE: A large tree is down in a neighborhood on Montage Street.
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UPDATE 4:49 PM: North Charleston PD is reporting several road closures on Tuesday afternoon.
- E. Saddlebrook and Preakness – due to flooding
- Forest & Buchanan – There is a pole across the roadway
- Azalea and Cosgrove – there is a power line blocking Cosgrove towards Northbridge
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UPDATE: 4:47 PM: A severe thunderstorm warning continues for much of the Charleston metro until 5:15 p.m.
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UPDATE 4:39 PM: The Arthur Ravenel Bridge is closed in both directions due to high winds and an overturned truck.
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UPDATE 4:22 PM: Charleston County has implemented a ‘code red’ warning status for area bridges until further notice. High-span bridges – 65 feet or higher – are unsafe for travel.
Charleston County EMS will not cross the Ravenel Bridge.
“Anyone who drives over bridges against the advisory is doing so at their own risk,” the county said.
UPDATE 4:25 PM: Charleston County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a tree down and blocking a portion of Savannah Highway and Highway 165. Power is out at the intersection.
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UPDATE 4:06 PM: Mount Pleasant PD reports there is an overturned tractor-trailer on the northbound lanes of the Ravenel Bridge. 2 lanes are closed, and 1 lane is closed southbound.
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UPDATE 2:28 PM: The Summerville Police Department is reporting traffic lights out on S. Main and 6th, and at Five Points. Drivers should use caution in the area.
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UPDATE 2:23 PM: The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning in northeastern Georgetown County until 2:45 p.m.
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UPDATE 2:00 PM: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Georgetown County
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UPDATE 12:11 PM: The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a tree down in the 600 block of Beech Hill Road near Sprucewood Drive. Powerlines are also down in the area.
Deputies are on the scene.
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UPDATE 11:40 AM: A tornado watch has been issued for Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, and Williamsburg Counties until 6:00 p.m.
A tornado watch means that a tornado is possible within the watch area.
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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A strong line of thunderstorms will sweep across the Lowcountry on Tuesday bringing with it a threat of very high winds and an isolated tornado risk.
Storm Team 2 Meteorologist Josh Marthers said the squall line is expected to arrive between noon and 3:00 p.m. back toward I-95 and as early as 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. closer to the coast and inside the Charleston metro.
The wind threat will arrive much earlier and could include sustained winds between 25-40 mph late Tuesday morning through the early evening with gusts ranging between 40-50 mph out toward I-95 and inland communities, and 50-60 mph inside the Charleston metro and out toward the coast.
“The duration of this is going to be about four to six hours, and that’s going to be enough to cause enough stress to bring down some trees and could even cause a pretty widespread power outage issue,” said Marthers.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a high wind warning from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. for many areas along the South Carolina coast. Included in that is Charleston County, coastal Colleton County, coastal Georgetown County, and tidal Berkeley County.
A high wind advisory is active for Dorchester County, inland Berkeley County, inland Colleton County, inland Georgetown County, and Williamsburg County.
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected and travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,” said forecasters with the National Weather Service in Charleston.
Even stronger winds could impact the area bridges.
In addition to the threat of significant wind damage on Tuesday, there is also an elevated risk of isolated tornadoes.
“If we do see tornadoes today, they will be very isolated in nature … but here’s the thing, if we even see one of those in the Palmetto State today, because there is so much wind energy, it will be quite intense and that is why the Storm Prediction Center has highlighted an elevated risk of tornadoes even though we don’t think this is going to be a huge outbreak,” said Marthers.
Bottom Line:
- Expect a sustained south wind between 25-40 mph
- 40-60 mph gusts, higher on bridges
- Worst conditions between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Stay informed with theStorm Team 2 weather and News 2 apps, and count on us for updates both on-air and online.
