TRACKING HELENE: most of Lowcountry, SC on ‘OPCON 2′

CLOSINGS & CANCELLATIONS: Schools, offices announce schedule changes ahead of Helene

Lowcountry school districts are keeping an eye on the weather conditions from Hurricane Helene and are announcing changes to their schedules.

By Live 5's Marissa Lute

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Lowcountry school districts are keeping an eye on the weather conditions from Hurricane Helene and are announcing changes to their schedules.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued across the Lowcountry ahead of Hurricane Helene making landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida’s northwestern coast as soon as late Thursday.

Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Williamsburg Counties are all under the tropical storm warning.

Here is a breakdown of the schedule changes districts have announced:

School Districts

Berkeley County School District

The Berkeley County School District is moving to an eLearning day for Friday. All after-school activities and after-school care programs will close at 6 p.m. Thursday. All schools and offices will be closed Friday, and before and after-school care programs are canceled.

Charleston County School District

The Charleston County School District is moving to an eLearning day for Friday. School and district buildings will be closed.

Kaleidoscope and all other extracurricular activities and afterschool programs scheduled for tomorrow are canceled, however, Friday night high school athletic games will be held.

Dorchester District 2

Dorchester District 2 will move to eLearning on Friday. All Thursday after school programs and extracurricular activities are canceled.

Dorchester District 4

Dorchester District 4 canceled all after-school activities for Thursday and will move to an eLearning day on Friday. District leaders say they made the decision based on the projected forecast of rain overnight in addition to sustained winds and potential wind gusts in the early-morning hours.

Beaufort County School District

The Beaufort County School District will have an eLearning day and remote workday on Friday, assuming electrical and internet utilities are functioning. District buildings will be closed. All afterschool activities are canceled Thursday and Friday.

Colleton County School District

The Colleton County School District will have early dismissal Thursday.

Black Street Early Childhood Center

Students: 10:40 a.m.

Staff: 12 p.m.

All Colleton County elementary schools

Students: 11 a.m.

Staff: 12:20 p.m.

All Colleton County middle schools

Students: 12:15 p.m.

Staff: 1:35 p.m.

All Colleton County high schools

Students: 12:30 p.m.

Staff: 1:50 p.m.

A delayed start has been scheduled for the Colleton County School District Friday.

Black Street Early Childhood Center

Arrive 9 a.m.

Class begins at 9:30 a.m.

Day ends 1:55 p.m.

All Colleton County elementary schools

Arrive 9 a.m.

Class begins 9:30 a.m.

Day ends 2:15 p.m.

All Colleton County middle schools

Arrive 10:15 a.m.

Class begins 10:45 a.m.

Day ends 3:30 p.m.

All Colleton County high schools

Arrive 10:15 a.m.

Class begins 10:45 a.m.

Day ends 3:45 p.m.

Georgetown County

The Georgetown County School District will move to eLearning on Friday.

Orangeburg County School District

Orangeburg County schools canceled all after-school activities on Thursday and have announced they will have an eLearning day on Friday.

Other Schools

The following individual schools have also announced schedule changes:

Dorchester County Career & Technology Center: The Dorchester County Career & Technology Center will move to eLearning on Friday.

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College has canceled classes beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday. The college is instructing students to monitor the website for updates.

Palmetto Christian Academy: Palmetto Christian Academy will hold an at-home learning day on Friday.

Other Organizations

The following events have been rescheduled or canceled:

Boone Hall Plantation: The Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch will be closed Friday. Boone Hall plans to be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and all other days as scheduled. Those who purchased tickets for Friday can use those tickets any other day the event is open this season. (Boone Hall Fright Nights will be open Friday and Saturday nights as scheduled.)

Charleston City Market: The Charleston City Market’s Night Market kick-off recognizing more than 30 businesses with the “Handmade in Charleston” recognition, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed to Oct. 24.

Charleston County Public Library: The West Ashley branch of the Charleston County Public Library will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday. All other branches and offices will close at 6 p.m. Bookdrops and automated material returns will also be closed during this time. Patrons are asked to not leave items outside of the book drops. Branches will reopen at 11 a.m. on Friday.

Charleston County Public Library Board of Trustees: The meeting of the Charleston County Public Library Board of Trustees, previously scheduled for Thursday, will now be held on Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Library.

Daufuskie Island-Lowcountry Ferry Service: Lowcountry Ferry will close early on Thursday and Friday. The ferry service closed at 1 p.m. on Thursday. It is anticipated to reopen at 1 p.m. on Friday.

Marion Square Fountain Sculpture Unveiling: The Rotary Club of Charleston’s unveiling of the final Marion Square Fountain sculpture by bronze artist Scott Penegar, originally set for Thursday, has been postponed to Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.

North Charleston Police Department: The “Save-a-Life Day” free Narcan distribution event at Seacoast Church in West Ashley, scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled. The event will be rescheduled in the future.

South Carolina Highway Patrol: The graduation ceremony for the South Carolina Highway Patrol Training Class 126, scheduled for Friday, has been canceled.

This is a developing story. Check back for details.

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TRACKING HELENE: Tornado watch in effect for most of Lowcountry; SC on ‘OPCON 2′

Lowcountry also under tropical storm warning

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Two dozen South Carolina counties, including most of the Lowcountry, are under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. Thursday.

The tornado watch includes Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Beaufort, Colleton, Orangeburg, Jasper, Hampton, Bamberg, Barnwell, Aiken, Allendale, Calhoun, Clarendon and Edgefield Counties among others.

The tornado watch means weather conditions could permit the formation of a tornado in that area. If radar detects a tornado or rotation, the National Weather Service would then issue a tornado warning.

SC moves to ‘OPCON 2′ ahead of Helene

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division elevated its readiness and response Thursday morning to “Operating Condition Level 2″ or OPCON2.

The higher level of readiness allows agencies to coordinate resources more effectively and respond swiftly to requests for help from county emergency managers.

Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for South Carolina Wednesday afternoon.

The SCEMD issued important reminders as the state begins to feel effects of Helene.

Be aware of potential flash flooding:

If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground. Do not wait to be told to move.

Do not walk through moving water. Three to six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

Do not drive into flooded areas. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

Never drive around or move barricades blocking a street.

Be cautious of downed trees and power lines:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas

Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

West of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line

Flamingo northward to Little River Inlet

Lake Okeechobee

Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth

https://twitter.com/JoeySovine/status/1839267757537309070

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for:

Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

Mexico Beach eastward and southward to Flamingo

Tampa Bay

Charlotte Harbor

Tropical Storm Isaac forms in the central Atlantic

The National Hurricane Center said a new tropical storm formed in the open central subtropical Atlantic Ocean Wednesday.

As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 37.1 north, longitude 54.1 west, about 1,480 miles west of the Azores and 690 miles east-northeast of Bermuda.

Isaac is moving toward the east near 12 mph and a general eastward to east-northeastward motion at a slightly faster speed is anticipated over the next several days.

Recent satellite wind data indicates that maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days and Isaac could be near hurricane intensity by the end of the week.

Forecasters are watching a third area of low pressure in the central Atlantic.

Showers and thunderstorms have become slightly better organized over the past 24 hours in association with a broad low-pressure system along a tropical wave located several hundred miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days while it moves westward to west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.

As of Wednesday night, there is an 80% chance of development over the next seven days.

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TRACKING HELENE: Warnings issued across Lowcountry as hurricane strengthens

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Several Lowcountry counties are under a tropical storm warning after Helene hit hurricane strength.

The counties under that warning are Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Williamsburg Counties. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within the next 36 hours.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for South Carolina Wednesday afternoon.

The Live 5 Weather team has declared First Alert Weather Days for Thursday and Friday of this week because of anticipated effects from what will then be expected to be Helene.

Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Joey Sovine said the majority of computer models show Helene moving through Florida and Georgia, although a few models project it moving through western or central South Carolina.

It will likely affect the Lowcountry with rain and winds and an increased chance of coastal flooding. Depending on the intensity and the path, it could produce some severe weather up to a potential tornado threat by Friday, he said.

On the forecast track, Helene will cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.

The National Hurricane Center says it could grow to a Category 4 system by landfall. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.

Lowcountry schools announce schedule changes ahead of Hurricane Helene

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Tropical storm warnings have been issued across the Lowcountry ahead of Hurricane Helene making landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida’s northwestern coast as soon as late Thursday.

Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Williamsburg Counties are all under the tropical storm warning.

Lowcountry school districts are keeping an eye on the weather conditions to ensure the safety of students and faculty.

Beaufort County School District officials say that while school is still scheduled as normal for the remainder of the week, all afterschool activities are canceled Thursday and Friday.

Families received the following information Wednesday evening:

We are closely monitoring the development of Tropical Storm Helene in consultation with Emergency Management. Based on current forecasts, schools will operate on a normal schedule for Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27. However, all afterschool activities (including employee EPIC childcare) will be canceled for tomorrow, Thursday, September 26th.

The Colleton County School District will have early dismissal Thursday.

Black Street Early Childhood Center

Students: 10:40 a.m.

Staff: 12 p.m.

All Colleton County elementary schools

Students: 11 a.m.

Staff: 12:20 p.m.

All Colleton County middle schools

Students: 12:15 p.m.

Staff: 1:35 p.m.

All Colleton County high schools

Students: 12:30 p.m.

Staff: 1:50 p.m.

A delayed start has been scheduled for the Colleton County School District Friday.

Black Street Early Childhood Center

Arrive 9 a.m.

Class begins at 9:30 a.m.

Day ends 1:55 p.m.

All Colleton County elementary schools

Arrive 9 a.m.

Class begins 9:30 a.m.

Day ends 2:15 p.m.

All Colleton County middle schools

Arrive 10:15 a.m.

Class begins 10:45 a.m.

Day ends 3:30 p.m.

All Colleton County high schools

Arrive 10:15 a.m.

Class begins 10:45 a.m.

Day ends 3:45 p.m.

Orangeburg County schools will operate on a normal schedule Thursday, however, all afterschool programs have been canceled. School officials said weather conditions will be assessed before a decision is made for Friday.

This is a developing story. Check back for details.

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Tropical Storm Watch on for parts of Lowcountry as Helene strengthens

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Eight Lowcountry counties are under a tropical storm watch as Helene nears hurricane strength Wednesday morning.

The counties under that watch are Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Allendale, the National Weather Service says.

The Live 5 Weather team has declared First Alert Weather Days for Thursday and Friday of this week because of anticipated effects from what will then be expected to be Helene.

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Helene was centered near latitude 21.1 north, longitude 86.2 west, about 60 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico and about 100 miles west-southwest of the western tip of Cuba.

The system is moving toward the northwest near 9 mph. A turn toward the northwest is expected later Tuesday, followed by a general northward motion beginning on Wednesday and continuing through Friday.

On the forecast track, the center of Helene will pass near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula later Tuesday night or early Wednesday, move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday, and reach the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph with higher gusts.

Additional strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday. The storm is forecast to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Thursday.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 979 mb or 28.91 inches.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles to the east of the center.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for:

The Georgia and South Carolina coast north of the mouth

of the St. Mary’s River to the South Santee River. This includes Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

Indian Pass southward to Flamingo

Tampa Bay

Charlotte Harbor

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

Dry Tortugas

All of the Florida Keys

Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

West of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County Line

The Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia

Lake Okeechobee

Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico

Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

Cuban province of Pinar del Rio

Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for:

Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida

Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico

Forecasters are also watching a tropical wave near the west coast of Africa that is expected to move westward during the next several days. Shower and thunderstorm activity continues to show signs of organization in association with a tropical wave located near the Cabo Verde Islands.

Environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form in a few days while it moves westward to west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.

As of Wednesday morning, there is an 80% chance of development over the next seven days. If it becomes a tropical storm, the next name after Helene would be Isaac.

The remnants of Gordon dissipated Sunday over the central Atlantic.

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CLICK HERE: Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Chris Holtzman has an update on Tropical Storm Helene and what to expect in the Lowcountry

Helene becomes 2024 season’s eighth named storm

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The National Hurricane Center has officially announced the season’s eighth named storm as Tropical Storm Helene formed in the tropics.

The Live 5 Weather team has declared First Alert Weather Days for Thursday and Friday of this week because of anticipated effects from what will then be expected to be Helene.

The new name allows the forecast center to begin issuing storm tracks before it becomes a tropical depression. It also allows the center to issue tropical storm warnings and even hurricane watches sooner to give those in the potential path more time to prepare.

Either way, it will likely affect the Lowcountry with rain and winds and an increased chance of coastal flooding. Depending on the intensity and the path, it could produce some severe weather up to a potential tornado threat by Friday, he said.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Helene was centered near latitude 19.5 north, longitude 84.3 west, about 180 miles east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico and about 170 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba.

The system is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph. This northwestward motion is expected to continue through Tuesday night, followed by a faster northward to north-northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday.

On the forecast track, the center of the system is forecast to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea through Tuesday night, and then over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and the system is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening on Thursday as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb or 29.53 inches.

As of Tuesday morning, there is an 80% chance of development over the next seven days. If it becomes a tropical storm, the next name after Helene would be Isaac.

The remnants of Gordon dissipated Sunday over the central Atlantic.