In Columbia, S.C. (WCBD), Governor Henry McMaster and state emergency officials addressed the potential effects of Tropical Depression 9, soon to become Imelda, urging residents to keep track of the forecast updates.
Though the outlook for Tropical Depression 9 has become more favorable since Friday, Gov. McMaster cautioned that it continues to pose “a significant threat to our entire state” due to expected heavy rainfall and dangerous flooding.
“The storm’s track and intensity remain uncertain, but what is certain is that Team South Carolina will be ready,” the governor said.
State officials said an evacuation of the coast is not expected, nor do they anticipate the need for any storm shelters.
On Friday afternoon, Gov. McMaster declared a State of Emergency in South Carolina. This declaration activates the state’s emergency operations plan and enables the Emergency Management Division to collaborate with state agencies in anticipation of potential assistance requests from local authorities.
This declaration also makes state and local emergency management agencies eligible for FEMA reimbursement for expenses related to the storm.
Tropical Depression 9 officially developed on Saturday morning with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was moving northwest at six mph. The forecast predicts that the storm will strengthen into a tropical storm over the weekend and potentially become a hurricane, possibly near the South Carolina coast, by Tuesday morning.
Currently, the storm’s projected path brings it close to the South Carolina coast before heading back out to sea, with potential local effects including heavy rain and gusty winds along the coastline.
In anticipation of possible tropical-related impacts, numerous governments along the South Carolina coast have issued state of emergency declarations, following the governor’s order, which allows municipalities to mobilize resources quickly and position themselves for potential FEMA reimbursement if needed.
