Hurricane Idalia has made landfall in the southeastern U.S., and it’s forecast to reach South Carolina later Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

Idalia might be a Category 1 hurricane when it reaches South Carolina and moves along the coast, National Weather Service Head of Meteorologists Richard Okulski told The State. It will continue to weaken, but at least will be a strong tropical storm when it impacts the Columbia area, Okulski said.

Regardless of its classification, Idalia will produce severe and potentially dangerous weather effects in the Midlands, according to the National Weather Service.

And the Midlands could start to experience those effects as soon as midday, Okulski said.

In the morning, a tropical storm watch was in effect in Columbia, but by 12:30 p.m. a tropical storm warning had been issued for almost all of the Midlands, including Richland and Lexington counties according to the National Weather Service.

“We’re going to begin seeing the weather deteriorate this morning into the afternoon as winds are going to pick up,” Okulski said.

What will begin as breeziness will become more powerful, and gusts in excess of 40 mph are possible overnight, with peak hours for the strongest winds around midnight, according to Okulski. But those gusts will continue through 8 a.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

A threat of tornadoes in the Midlands is possible, but Okulski said it’s minimal risk. There’s a greater chance of tornadoes to the east of Columbia, and toward the South Carolina coast, according to Okulski.

Powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.

Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.

But the greatest threat being posed to the Columbia area by Idalia is excessive rainfall that could lead to flooding.

Rain caused by Idalia could begin by 3 p.m., and the bulk of the showers and thunderstorms will continue to douse the Midlands through 3 a.m. Thursday, Okulski said. The intensity will continue in the evening and overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Up to 5 inches of rain is possible in Columbia, while other areas of the Midlands, further to the east, could get up to 8 inches of rain, according to Okulski. Localized rainfall amounts could be higher.

“This will be extremely heavy rainfall and it will create challenges with flash flooding,” Okulski said.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for all of the Midlands, and it remains in effect until Thursday afternoon — after the rains have moved out of the area. All of the Midlands is at risk of flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rain and possible floods will pose threats to drivers, especially those on the road during rush hour on Wednesday evening and those making the Thursday morning commute, when visibility might be limited, according to Gropp.

“With that much rain in 12 hours, if you don’t have to go anywhere it’s best to stay home,” Okulski said. “It will be treacherous driving.”

Conditions are expected to improve by sunrise Thursday, but river flooding remains a threat Thursday and through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Idalia would be the first hurricane or tropical storm to affect the Columbia area in 2023, according to the National Weather Service. Last year, the remnants of Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole doused the Midlands in October and November, respectively.

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the storm was moving northeast at 13 mph, and had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The worst of Tropical Storm Idalia has come and gone, and now a sunny and pleasant day is in store for the Triangle. By ABC11

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

This story was originally published August 30, 2023, 9:10 AM.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has partnered with University of South Carolina Athletics Department, to make the airport “The Official Airport of the Gamecocks.” The partnership, made through the university’s multimedia rightsholder LEARFIELD’s Gamecock Sports Properties, will be in place for the next three years.

“We are proud to call the Columbia Metropolitan Airport the Official Airport of the Gamecocks,” said Ray Tanner, University of South Carolina Athletics Director. “We appreciate their support as fans make their way to our campus for Gamecock sporting events.”

With state-of-the-art technology throughout the parking garage and terminal, CAE’s number one priority is making air travel as quick and efficient as possible for its passengers. Served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, CAE gets travelers from around the world to Gamecock Country…with ease. Now offering more than 25 daily flights to 10 major airports in nine cities, getting to Columbia through CAE is now even easier.

“We couldn’t be more excited to work with Ray Tanner and the teams at the University of South Carolina,” said Mike Gula, president and CEO of CAE. “Gamecock Athletics and the entire university are a huge tourism driver in the Midlands, and we look forward to continuing to serve fans from all over the country as they make their way to Columbia for game day.”

About the Columbia Metropolitan Airport: Now providing 26+ daily flights with nonstop service to 10 major airports in nine cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, *Miami (*Seasonal service now operating through September 2, 2023). New York City (LGA), Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. (Dulles and Reagan National), Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), a two-time Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accredited facility, continues to be a major economic driver for the Midlands region. Welcoming over 1 million passengers in 2022, CAE is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines and serves as a regional cargo hub for UPS. CAE is also served by FedEx. Want to save money the next time you park at the airport? Pre-book your parking, park and save on the spot by visiting https://flycae.com/airport/parking/. For additional more information about CAE in general, please visit www.flycae.com.

About South Carolina Athletics The University of South Carolina (USC), located in the capital city of Columbia, was established in 1801 and is a full-service, state-supported research university that includes the 358-acre Columbia campus and seven regional campuses with a total full-time student body population of more than 46,000 and 2,100 full-time faculty members. USC’s athletic teams have been known as the Gamecocks for more than 100 years. More than 530 student-athletes participate in one of USC’s 21 intercollegiate athletic programs, which includes nine men’s and 12 women’s sports. Since 2015-16, South Carolina’s athletics department has averaged a Top 30 finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup All-Sports Standings, measuring an athletics department’s overall success. For more information, visit www.GamecocksOnline.com or connect with USC at www.facebook.com/GamecocksOnline or www.twitter.com/GamecocksOnline.

ABOUT LEARFIELD LEARFIELD is the media and technology company powering intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD services include trademark licensing and branding; collegiate sports properties’ multimedia sponsorship management; NIL solutions; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics and insights; ticketing software; and ticket sales, premium seating, and fundraising services; campus-wide business and sponsorship development. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for NACDA’s acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, recognizing athletic departments across all divisions.

A hurricane is bearing down on Florida, and it will bring rain to the Midlands.

Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall over Florida’s Gulf Coast Wednesday morning before hitting the Georgia coast and then the Carolinas Wednesday night.

By the time Idalia impacts reach the Midlands, the hurricane likely will have been downgraded to a tropical storm or a tropical depression, but the Columbia area should still expect heavy rain as early as midday Wednesday. The National Weather Service expects between 3 to 6 inches in the area, with heavy winds Wednesday night.

As Columbia braces for rain, parts of the city are likely to flood. When historic rainfall came to Columbia last July, parts of Five Points were half a foot under water, and most area businesses spent the following day drying out their stores. It’s a common practice when storms roll through the area.

Five Points is one of the most flood-prone areas of the city. Parts of the University of South Carolina campus and the Shandon neighborhood also see routine flooding with heavy rains.

Columbia has attempted to bolster flood protections in parts of the city, but the measures often prove only partially effective in heavy rain.

Several years ago, the city completed a $1 million project at Martin Luther King Jr. Park meant to reduce flooding in the area. The work created a stormwater retention area to hold rainwater and to channel it through Five Points when flooding does occur. Assistant City Manager Clint Shealy previously said the city has seen significant improvements to the amount of flooding in Five Points since finishing that project, but he added it can’t prevent all flooding.

“There’s certain levels of events you just can’t design (for),” he said.

This map shows Columbia’s most flood-prone intersections according to information provided by the city of Columbia.

This map was created by a user. Learn how to create your own.

If residents do encounter flooded streets, experts urge caution. Do not drive through floodwaters, even if the water does not look deep. If a road is flooded, turn around and find an alternate route.

“It takes just 12 inches of flowing water to carry off a small car, (and) 18 to 24 inches for larger vehicles,” the National Weather Service warns. The water may also be hiding washed-out road surfaces, electrical wires, debris or other dangerous objects.

More than half of all flooding deaths nationally occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water, according to the weather service.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Tropical showers and gusty winds continue tonight as Tropical Storm Idalia moves along the South Carolina coast. Rain will end overnight with winds dying down as Idalia moves out into the Atlantic.

First Alert Headlines

· Tropical showers and gusty winds continue tonight.

· Rainfall totals between 2-6″ leading to isolated flooding tonight.

· Drier weather arrives tomorrow and will last for several days setting up a beautiful Labor Day weekend.

First Alert Summary

For tonight steady showers will continue across much of the Midlands leading to some flooding as most of the region will receive between 2-6 inches of rain.

We will also encounter some very gusty winds up to 50 mph in spots, even higher closer to the coast, which could knock down tree, especially with the ground soaked.

Areas of Coastal South Carolina could see a storm surge greater than 3 feet tonight. With the king tide kicking in we see that increase to around 5 feet especially around Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Charleston.

After midnight and into the overnight hours the rain and winds will die down as the center of Idalia moves out into the Atlantic.

As Idalia slides out into the Atlantic on Thursday a cold front will sweep down over the Midlands pulling down some sun and drier weather.

Thursday and Friday look really nice with mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower to mid 80s with low humidity creating great weather to help the region dry out.

High pressure will then build over the Carolinas for the Labor Day weekend creating bright and mainly sunny days all weekend long, but it will get hotter again with highs topping out in the upper 80s to near 90 by Labor Day.

The high pressure will continue to dominate our weather much of next week creating more sunny and dry days with highs in the lower 90s.

First Alert Forecast

First Alert Weather Day Tonight: Rain showers and storms from Idalia continue with heavy rain stays possible with stronger winds likely to the south and east of Columbia. Lows in the upper 60s.

Thursday: A few stray showers earlier then drying up by the afternoon with mostly sunny skies! Highs push to the lower 80s.

Friday: Mainly sunny skies with highs into the low 80s.

Saturday: Plentiful sun with highs into the low 80s.

Sunday: Mainly sunny skies with highs into the mid-80s.

Labor Day Monday: Mostly sunny and warm with highs near 90.

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A flood watch was issued Tuesday afternoon for the Columbia area in preparation for Hurricane Idalia. The watch goes into effect Wednesday afternoon and will run through Thursday afternoon, and covers almost all of the Midlands, according to the National Weather Service.

Additionally, a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for parts of the Midlands — including eastern Orangeburg County as well as Clarendon and Bamberg counties, the National Weather Service said.

Hurricane Idalia is building strength as it churns in the Gulf of Mexico, but is expected to be a tropical storm — or even a tropical depression — when it reaches South Carolina, the National Weather Service said Tuesday morning.

But even a downgraded storm is still expected to dump large amounts of rain on the Columbia area, National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Gropp told The State. Idalia will also bring the threat of powerful wind gusts and possible tornadoes to the Midlands, Gropp said.

The center of Idalia is expected to move over the South Carolina coast on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Gropp. While increased winds can begin by Wednesday morning, the bulk effects of the storm are forecast to impact the Columbia area between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m. Thursday, Gropp said.

Between 3 to 6 inches of rain is forecast to swamp the Columbia area during those peak hours, according to Gropp.

Localized rainfall amounts could be higher, and reach 8 inches, Gropp said.

“It won’t be a hurricane in the Midlands, but it could still be a tropical storm, and the impacts will still be significant,” Gropp said. “That’s just a lot of rain.”

With all of that rain, along with significant amounts of precipitation recorded Sunday and Monday, as well as a 50% chance of more showers and thunderstorms Tuesday, flooding is a serious threat, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rain and possible floods will pose threats to drivers, especially those on the road during rush hour on Wednesday evening and those making the Thursday morning commute, when visibility might be limited, according to Gropp.

“We advise them to not be on the roads, if they can, when the rain is like that,” Gropp said.

Potential flash flooding is the greatest threat during the storm, but as Idalia dumps more rain on the Columbia area, river flooding becomes another possible hazard, the National Weather Service said.

“We’re expecting river flooding to be an issue even after Idalia moves out of the area,” Gropp said. “The rivers are already swelling.”

River flooding remains a threat Thursday and through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

The latest forecast has the center of Idalia moving over the South Carolina coast, but it shifted slightly to the west and more inland, the National Weather Service said. Further deviation to that track — to the east or west — is possible, according to the National Weather Service.

One affect of the shift in track is a greater chance of tornadoes forming in the Midlands, the National Weather Service said. The area at greatest risk of experiencing a tornado is in the eastern portion of the Midlands, in Orangeburg, Clarendon and Calhoun counties, according to Gropp.

The National Weather Service warned not to focus on the exact track, since Idalia’s impacts can happen well outside the area enclosed by the storm’s cone.

While Idalia’s winds were considered life-threatening before making landfall in the southeastern U.S. Tuesday, Gropp said the strength is predicted to “drop off dramatically,” when it is affecting the Columbia area.

Should Idalia be at tropical storm levels when it hits South Carolina, it will move through with winds as high as 39 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The combination of powerful wind gusts and rain-soaked soil could cause trees to be uprooted, Gropp said.

Powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.

Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.

The forecast calls for temperatures to drop to around 80 degrees on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Idalia would be the first hurricane or tropical storm to affect the Columbia area in 2023, according to LaVoie. Last year, the remnants of Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole doused the Midlands in October and November, respectively.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, the storm was moving north at 14 mph toward Florida, and had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The worst of Tropical Storm Idalia has come and gone, and now a sunny and pleasant day is in store for the Triangle. By ABC11

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

This story was originally published August 29, 2023, 11:37 AM.