any wind threat to the carolinas

[MyrtleBeachGal]

I'm keeping a close eye on the rains from Ernesto when he comes, but we haven't had any rain today like North Carolina is getting.

I just came back from the grocery store and was dreading going because I imagined this horrible line of people... well... there were maybe 10 people in the entire store! At 6:30!! Bottled water stacked up along the walls, but no one was buying it. I hope everyone's stocked up in case of power outages, but honestly, the media is being very "conservative" on the impact this will have...

I'm ready year round You never know with the summer storms we have and the ice/freezing rain we have in the winter sometimes..

School is still in for Horry County and I still have to work tomorrow.. looks like most of the wind/heavy rains might be tomorrow afternoon late.. does that sound about right for here? I'll be upset if my children are stuck at school or on the bus in bad weather tomorrow..

[MBismyPlayground]

Myrtle Beach Gal, I have noticed the same thing. Ed P and crew sure are down playing this. And I see the impact on people who have not been in any kind of storm before... because as you and I both know, even tropical winds and rain can be dangerous. I seriously think Horry County has dropped the ball on this one, most likely due to worry over the slow season and lack of tourism dollars.

[Tstormwatcher]

If you had flooding from Floyd then I would be very concerned with this one especially with all of the rain that feel today. I live 30 feet about the Nuese, so the only thing I would have to fear are the winds. If you do live in a flood prone area of eastern or central NC, please be careful and keep an eye on the sky.

[Regit]

It's not being treated as a huge threat because it's not exceptional. The storms will be no worse than your typical thunderstorm that can happen during any school day. However, Horry County has not made a decision yet on schools. They are saying that as of now, school is on as normal, but that they will evaluate the situation in the morning. School districts typically decide on closures between 4 and 5 a.m. so that they can assess the situation with up-to-date information, but get the info on the morning news programs. Georgetown County schools, on the other hand, are closed.

Earlier today, Governor Sanford called up National Guard troops in Colleton County and Mullins, but released them to go home this afternoon. It's just not expected to be an extraordinary event.

[Stormsfury]

Colleton, Dorchester, Charleston, and Georgetown County schools are all closed with pending decisions on Friday whether to open or close.

SF

[Pebbles]

Well I do hope that if it pops back up to tropical storm strength that any counties possibly effected do cancel school. I for one would NOT send my kids to school for a tropical storm. No one should be out driving in one.

[MyrtleBeachGal]

According to Horry County Schools website, the decision has been made about school tomorrow with Friday being in question for now.

http://www3.hcs.k12.sc.us/

[SCMedic]

It's not being treated as a huge threat because it's not exceptional. The storms will be no worse than your typical thunderstorm that can happen during any school day.

I do believe this is a very ignorant quote. I don't see tropical storm warnings, flood warnings, and whatever else for your "typical thunderstorm".

Be prepared for anything. 1000mb over land, and 20 hours or so over 85 degree water could make for a big suprise, especially since MB will be on the eastern side if it comes in in Awendaw like they're saying.

[MyrtleBeachGal]

I just hope the heavy rains and winds hold off until I get off of work.. at 5:00 tomorrow... I hate driving in the rain.. and even moreso wind-driven rain..

[huricanwatcher]

I have to say is 'work' can kiss my butt it ernie is at any time tomorrow at hurricane status... headin home to honker down

[MyrtleBeachGal]

My office is a block from the ocean.. and I'm sure my boss will let me off early if I ask for it.. he's looking to me to let him know when it's gonna get too bad.. I have a 20 minute drive home.. he lives 2 miles from the office...

[SCHurricane]

Just moved to myrtle Beach...whos the best to watch for weather?!?!?!?! SHold I be worried?

[MyrtleBeachGal]

I don't watch the weather on local networks because usually what they tell me I already know from wunderground.com or nhc.noaa.gov

[ncbird]

Just moved to myrtle Beach...whos the best to watch for weather?!?!?!?! SHold I be worried?

You can find out info for your area at
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ilm/

[Regit]

It's not being treated as a huge threat because it's not exceptional. The storms will be no worse than your typical thunderstorm that can happen during any school day.

I do believe this is a very ignorant quote. I don't see tropical storm warnings, flood warnings, and whatever else for your "typical thunderstorm".

Be prepared for anything. 1000mb over land, and 20 hours or so over 85 degree water could make for a big suprise, especially since MB will be on the eastern side if it comes in in Awendaw like they're saying.

Well, you won't see tropical storm warnings for anything that's not a tropical cyclone, so I'm not sure what your point was there.

But flood warnings? Get them all the time. Anytime a thunderstorm is moving slow, flood warnings go up. And whatever else? I don't think there is anything else. Not even inland wind advisories.

Until there is a clear and present danger, it is a spectacular waste of money to close schools. But, if Ernesto does unexpectedly intensify, school can and should be closed at a moment's notice.

Coastal SC is flat. All you'll get is river flooding after the event and some minor to moderate urban flooding.

-Floods will be no different than a severe thunderstorm event.
-Rain will be no heavier than a severe thunderstorm.
-Schools don't close for tornado watches.

What else is there?

And for the record, don't call my quotes ignorant. I've been through plenty of tropical systems and have worked in emergency management. I know all of South Carolina's protocol. It's being followed perfectly.

[webke]

SCHurricane wrote:
Just moved to myrtle Beach...whos the best to watch for weather?!?!?!?! SHold I be worried?


You can find out info for your area at
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ilm/

I have been here since 1986 and I prefer WPDE TV channel 15

[MBismyPlayground]

Regit,
I would suggest that you check out Derek Ortts tropical analysis for his latest forecast... He is much respected on the boards.
http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=89181

[MBismyPlayground]

Just moved to myrtle Beach...whos the best to watch for weather?!?!?!?! SHold I be worried?

SCHurricane,
We all should be prepared, not exactly worried. Always expect the unexpected as hurricanes and storms are a product of nature and there is nothing we can do to control it. Worried should be based on WHERE you live and how close to the ocean or flood zones.
Who to watch in Myrtle Beach? Good one. I end up Watching Ed Piotroski as he is local but, I also feel that the local media gloss over things that maybe should not be so sugar coated..

[Bane]

actually there are inland wind advisories in place. 4-12" of rain is also not your typical thunderstorm.

Coastal SC is flat. All you'll get is river flooding after the event and some minor to moderate urban flooding.

this statement is pretty callous. if you own property along the rivers or areas prone to flooding, this is a big deal.

[Pebbles]

Regit,

I have to strongly (but respectfully) disagree with you here on the school closings. I have several thunderstorms cause damage around my house. I've lost a large wooden fence, A piece of siding from my home and large tree branches from time to time. We've lost electric and had minor flooding in my basement a couple times from a particularly hard rain. And these were relitively quick 5-15 minute type of storms. We are talking about a storm that lasts HOURS.

Do you know how elementary school children act during a storm? Specially if the electric goes out. Do you honestly expect parents to be comfortable knowing their kids are on a bus for up to an hour in this kind of weather to and from school? (mightest well those in an area they may have to walk!) In my mind there is a big difference between an afternoon storm where a bus driver may have to pull over for 10 or 15 minutes or keeping this kiddies in school till the storm has passed and asking them to drive in this type of weather.

When I lived in New Bern, the bridges were closed when winds hit 35mph and emergency vehicles were not allowed out on the road. But you want students to attend school in those circumstances? There's winds currently shown with this storm that are in the 30's and the thing has been over land since last night. And right now they are calling for it to get a little umph back over water.

In this case I don't see closing schools as a waste of money by any means. I see it as a good preventive safety measure. A childs welfare and safety is way more important then money any day.

P.S. They are already experencing flooding in NC that's not even from Ernesto... it's gonna get worse... lets not discuss the one time i spent over 3 hours getting home the kid home from school because of flooding from a "regular thunderstorm". I don't think most wanna deal with that type of situation.