(key points for Nicole, as reported by the the South Carolina Severe Weather Climate Office:
A Tropical Storm Watch and Storm Surge Watch are now in effect for the South Carolina coast south of the South Santee River.
The forecast for Nicole has been shifted west and calls for Nicole to move faster since yesterday, changing the timing of impacts in South Carolina.
The changed track results in the entire state being at risk for flash flooding. However, faster storm motion reduces the time that heavy rain will occur, lowering the risk level for inland flooding.
More of the state will be at risk for isolated tornadoes due to the westward shift of Nicole’s track.
Coastal flooding and storm surge flooding remain the primary concerns for the coastal areas. Each high tide through Thursday will bring coastal flooding due to strong onshore winds and high astronomical tides.
Nicole will bring a storm surge to our coast Thursday night or early Friday, which may result in a prolonged period of flooding bridging the high tides or very high water if it occurs at high tide.
The wind risk remains low overall, with the main area of concern near the coast in the Lowcountry. However, the combination of heavy rain and locally gust wind results in a slight risk for isolated tree and power line damage over most of the state.
Some changes to the forecast remain possible since Nicole is still about 72 hours from moving through South Carolina. One concern is for Nicole to be a bit stronger than forecast due to favorable conditions for the storm as it approaches Florida.
