Kiawah Island community entities are actively monitoring Hurricane Idalia in collaboration with Charleston County's Emergency Management Department and regional counterparts.

BE ADVISED

Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida early Wednesday morning as a category 3 hurricane. Idalia's current forecasted track suggests the hurricane will move northeast and up the east coast.

Governor McMaster has declared a state of emergency for South Carolina. (No evacuation has been ordered.) Kiawah Island is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning, and Storm Surge and Flood Watches.

Kiawah is expected to receive rainfall and wind gusts beginning late Wednesday morning. The most severe weather is expected Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning. Kiawah will experience a king tide (over 8 ft. high tide) on Wednesday evening at 8:30 p.m. coupled with a forecast of 4-6 inches of rain and a potential storm surge of 4-6 feet above ground level. Coastal flooding is Kiawah's biggest concern. With increasing winds, water levels may remain high, even at low tide cycles.

Expect up to 65 mph wind gusts overnight. Isolated tornados are possible. Be advised of rip currents and stay out of the water.

PREPARE YOUR HOMES & PERSONAL PROPERTY

Residents and property owners are advised to monitor local media, review their hurricane plans, and prepare their property or make contact with their property managers. Secure all outdoor furniture, trash cans, and other personal property. Stock food and water supplies, and fill medications, before Wednesday afternoon.

During the height of the storm, Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning, stay at home and avoid driving. Be advised that emergency services could be delayed during the storm. If you do have an emergency, dial 911, not island security.

HURRICANE GUIDES:

South Carolina | Charleston County | Town of Kiawah Island

COMMUNITY PREPARATIONS

Kiawah Island entities are preparing the island for storm impacts.

KICA has continued to lower pond levels to accommodate the anticipated rainfall. (No amount of lowering will accommodate storm surge.) Water pumps will be staged in road areas susceptible to flooding.

There are no plans to close property owner, guest, or employee access to Kiawah Island. KICA will close the island to commercial gate access (with the exception of emergency repair services) on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at noon. Commercial gate access will tentatively reopen on Thursday at noon, if debris cleanup is complete.

If you are in need of an emergency repair service during this commercial access closure, contact KICA Security (securitysup@kica.us) and provide the service provider's name, date and time of arrival, and reason for service.

ISLAND CLOSURES

Some island entities are closing facilities. Please view the latest information by visiting the links provided below.

Kiawah Island Community Association

The Sandcastle and KICA offices will close on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at noon and will tentatively reopen on Thursday, Aug. 31 at noon. View more details on the event calendar.

Freshfields Village

Any closures will be shared on the Freshfields website. Harris Teeter is not expected to close.

Town of Kiawah Island

Town Hall will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 30 and will reopen on Thursday, Aug. 31 with normal business hours. Stay informed at kiawahisland.org.

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

The Town of Kiawah Island leads communications in an emergency situation. Be sure to get the latest updates from the town by registering for CodeRED and emergency email notifications.

You can expect another email update on this storm tomorrow afternoon.

HELPFUL LINKS

National Weather Service

National Hurricane Center