Hurricane Ian has been downgraded to Post-Tropical Cyclone Ian as it moves across the eastern Carolinas, but officials are still warning of dangerous conditions brought on by the storm.
The National Hurricane Center said Friday afternoon that high winds of up to 70 mph are expected to continue through early Saturday along the coasts of South Carolina and in southeastern North Carolina. “Considerable flooding” is also forecast for the Carolinas and southeast Virginia.
“Dangerous storm surge, flash flooding and high winds are still in the forecast from this cyclone,” the National Hurricane Center advisory cautioned.
The agency previously warned residents of coastal South Carolina that storm surges could reach heights of seven feet in some areas if peak surges occur during high tide. Video of the touristy downtown Charleston, South Carolina, showed major flooding already affecting the city. Downed power lines were also reported in the area.
Flooding in Charleston in the wake of Ian. #charleston #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/cpz55e24t0
— Nathaniel Oberholtzer (@NathanielObe) September 30, 2022
Charleston, SC:
Here’s a guy kayaking down Coming Street. 🚣🏻♀️
#🌀Ian pic.twitter.com/UCKHHKAJBg— Trooper Bob (@TrooperBob_SC) September 30, 2022
When Ian made landfall in South Carolina, the storm was a Category 1 hurricane. Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry said the hurricane’s intensity was “probably beyond what most people anticipated.”
“Most of us did not believe we would see the storm surge at 7 plus feet,” Henry told CNN. “It’s beginning to recede but we have a huge amount of water on the roadways and across the island.”
At least two piers partially collapsed into the ocean off the coast of South Carolina as Ian slammed into the state after regaining strength. “The end of the Pawleys Island pier has collapsed & is floating south,” the Pawleys Island Police Department said.
The end of the Pawleys Island pier has collapsed & is floating south. pic.twitter.com/ajJsWeXWfN
— Pawleys Island PD (@PawleysIslandPD) September 30, 2022
Over 200,000 homes and businesses have lost power in North Carolina as of Friday afternoon and another 188,000 have no power in South Carolina.