SUNDAY, AUG. 4, 2024

As part of the island's emergency management plan, KICA and the Town of Kiawah Island issue joint emergency communications to members.

CATASTROPHIC FLASH FLOODING PREDICTED


Tropical Storm Debby is currently off of Florida's Gulf Coast, but the storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane and then move northeast and stall out over South Carolina, causing catastrophic flash flooding.


Kiawah Island is anticipated to experience 10-20 inches of rainfall, but could see up to 30 inches. Rain and winds are expected to begin tonight, and the most severe conditions are expected on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

A 2015 storm, the "1,000-year flood," with similar rainfall predictions caused flash flooding across Kiawah Island and multi-day road closures, including Kiawah's main thoroughfares: the Kiawah Island Parkway and Governors Drive.

Expect catastrophic flash flooding and be prepared to stay at home on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

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


Rain and flash flooding are the most severe threats, but tropical storm-force winds (up to 58 mph), storm surge (2-4 feet), tornados and rip currents are also concerns. Heavily saturated soil may also increase the likeliness of trees falling.

PREPARE & PLAN TO STAY HOME


Residents and property owners are advised to prepare their property or make contact with their property managers. Expect flash flooding on your property and make the appropriate preparations. Secure all outdoor furniture, trash cans and other personal property. Food, water supplies and medications should be filled.


Monitor local media and plan to stay at home on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Even after the storm passes, plan to remain home so that cleanup can be executed safely and efficiently.


HURRICANE GUIDES:

South Carolina | Charleston County | Town of Kiawah Island


WEATHER:

National Weather Service

National Hurricane Center


LOCAL MEDIA: 

Live 5 NewsABC News 4Count on 2Post & Courier

COMMUNITY PREPARATIONS


The town, community association, and Kiawah entities are coordinating storm preparations, in partnership with Charleston County's Emergency Management Department and regional counterparts. 


DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE


KICA continues to lower pond levels to increase rainwater storage capacity and drainage gates have been closed to incoming tides. This process relies on the outgoing tide to pull water out of the ponds, so lowering is a multi-day process. Currently, most ponds have been lowered 12-15 inches.


SOLID WASTE COLLECTION


The town's contracted trash collection services will be conducted on Monday, but other solid waste collection services may be impacted later in the week, based on the forecast.


The town will remove trash receptacles from the beach on Monday.


COMMERCIAL SERVICES GATE CLOSURE


KICA does not currently plan to close Kiawah Island gate access to property owners, guests, or employees but will close commercial services access on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and access is expected to remain closed through Thursday. Only emergency repair services will be permitted, with authorization from KICA Security. Contact securitysup@kica.us to gain authorization and provide the service provider's name, date and time of arrival, and reason for service.


UTILITIES


Local utility companies like Berkeley Electric, Kiawah Island Utility (water), AT&T and Comcast are preparing for the storm. Although no companies plan to turn off services, if critical infrastructure is at risk, services may be temporarily suspended.


EMERGENCY SERVICES



St. John’s Fire Department has a high-water vehicle and is ready to assist. The department will respond to all calls. With a high call volume, there may be a need to triage and prioritize response.


BUSINESS CLOSURES


The community association's Beachwalker Center and the Sandcastle plan to close at noon on Monday, Aug. 5 and remain closed through Thursday, weather dependent.


The Town Hall Building is closed with essential personnel on-site and non-essential personnel working remotely. To contact town staff, residents can call 843-768-9166.


Freshfields Village does not anticipate any closures but will keep their website updated.


EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS


The Town of Kiawah Island leads communications in an emergency. 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.

MEMBER SERVICES: 843-768-9194______MAIN GATE: 843-768-5566______THE SANDCASTLE: 843-768-3875