BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 29, 2023) – The City of Beaufort is suspending normal operations on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 30-31, in response to Hurricane/Tropical Storm IDALIA. City offices will be closed to the public, but Police, Fire and Public Works Departments will be at full staff to prepare for and respond to the storm.
Tropical Storm Warning
Beaufort County is now under a Tropical Storm Warning.
The latest briefing from the National Weather Service Charleston puts the entire coast of South Carolina under a Storm Surge Warning, with the highest threat from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night. This will be combined with a high tide and full moon on Wednesday at 9:40 p.m., with the tide expected to be 9.4 feet, so flooding in coastal and low-lying areas is probable, and could be dangerous.
Tropical Storm force winds (39-73 mph) are most likely to come in this area on Wednesday evening.
In addition, major flooding rainfall, including flash flooding, could happen through Wednesday night. Coastal counties could experience 3-5 inches of rain, with more expected inland.
Trash/recycling
Capital Waste expects to pick up trash/recycling through 2 p.m. Wednesday, depending on the weather. Bring your bins in at that time. It is very likely there will be no service on Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, Capital Waste will catch up on missed routes.
Capital Waste is performing bulk pickups throughout the City of Beaufort that have already been requested through its ticket system. Please do not submit new bulk pickup requests until the storm has passed.
Last minute tips
Make sure you have adequate food and water at home. If you have a generator, make sure it works properly. Put gas in your cars and trucks today. Move any loose yard items inside, or make sure they are properly secured.
First Friday
As of now, First Friday is still scheduled for downtown Beaufort on Sept. 1 from 5-8 p.m. However, this is subject to change in response to weather conditions and storm damage.
Post-storm
The Public Works Department will do a one-time sweep in the City of Beaufort to pick up excess yard debris caused by the storm beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5, through Friday, Sept. 8.
Yard debris must be placed next to the roadway by Tuesday morning, Sept. 5. Do not put the debris near utility boxes or poles, fire hydrants, or under tree canopies. The department’s knuckle boom truck must be able to reach the debris.
Keep up with alerts & information
The City has an IDALIA update website page where it is compiling pertinent time-stamped information:
https://www.cityofbeaufort.org/705/Idalia-Updates
Check the City of Beaufort Facebook page and Nextdoor posts for the latest information about IDALIA. Follow the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office on Facebook as well. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division Facebook page has lots of good tips, plus current information.
Make sure you are signed up for Nixle (emergency) alerts from the City of Beaufort and Beaufort County.
The Hurricane Readiness section on the City’s website has a great deal of information about what to do before, during and after a hurricane.
The City of Beaufort urges all its residents, businesses, and visitors to this storm seriously and to not take any risks over the next two days. Please stay safe.
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