CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg told residents to prepare for nasty weather on Thursday as Hurricane Michael makes its way across the state.
“We expect in the Charleston area to get just the side of the storm,” Tecklenburg said. “But we’re expecting a real nasty day tomorrow, a few inches of rain and sustained winds of 25+ mph.”
The City of Charleston’s Emergency Operations Center is operating at OPCON 3 ahead of any impacts.
Based on the most recent forecast, the city of Charleston is expecting an 8-foot high tide at 10:19 a.m. Thursday morning, which will likely result in significant flooding in low lying areas.
Other potential impacts for the Charleston area include wind and threat of tornadoes, with rainfall expected through Friday morning.
Beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Aquarium parking garage located at 24 Calhoun Street and the Visitor Center parking garage at 63 Mary Street will be open for citizens to park their cars for free during the storm. Cars must be removed by 8 a.m. Friday.
The West Ashley Farmers Market originally scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled. It is expected to resume Oct. 17 through Oct. 24.
City government offices will be closed Thursday.
City crews are working to pre-position pumps and continue clearing ditches and drains of debris to prepare for the effects of potential flooding. The Parks Department continues lowering the water levels in Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer.
Crews have also begun pre-staging barricades in low-lying areas in anticipation of possible road closures due to tidal flooding on Thursday.
Michael made landfall earlier Wednesday near Mexico Beach, Florida at nearly Category 5 strength.
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