Spinal Decompression Therapy in West Ashley, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Charleston Mayor William Cogswell has activated the city’s Active Flood Mitigation Plan as heavy rain from Hurricane Isaias and a king tide cycle raise the risk of flooding this weekend throughout the Lowcountry.

Isaias is expected to track west of the Charleston area, but the National Weather Service forecasts hazardous conditions in the Lowcountry beginning Friday.

The primary period of concern is Friday night through Sunday morning, with the heaviest rain possible Saturday afternoon and evening.

The city expects 3 to 4 inches of rain, with higher amounts possible in some areas.

King tides Saturday and Sunday could worsen flooding.

Tides in Charleston Harbor are forecast to peak near 7.7 feet Saturday morning and remain elevated Saturday evening. Gusty winds, isolated tornadoes and dangerous rip currents are also possible.

“Flooding is one of the biggest challenges this city faces, and we are not waiting for the water to show up before we act,” Cogswell said. “Our crews have been clearing drains since last weekend, pumps are going in, and we are lowering the lakes to make room for the rain. I am asking residents to do their part too. Secure your yard, keep your storm drain clear, and stay off flooded roads.”

Under the Active Flood Mitigation Plan, the city has taken the following steps:

• Stormwater crews have been clearing storm drains and debris since Sunday’s flooding, with contracted vacuum trucks joining Friday.

• Mobile pumps are fueled and will be activated Friday morning. Additional pumps arrive Friday for Morrison Drive and Limehouse Street, and the Huger and Lockwood pumps will run through the weekend.

• Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer will be lowered Friday ahead of the rain.

• Barricades are staged throughout the city.

• The Charleston Fire Department will staff two high-water vehicles, and Emergency Management will monitor conditions throughout the weekend.

• Code enforcement officers are patrolling downtown to keep debris out of storm drains, and inspectors are contacting contractors to secure active worksites.

• Street sweepers, cleanup crews, and trash crews are on standby for debris removal.

• Five city parking garages will be free for city residents to move vehicles out of flood-prone areas. Residents may enter after 6:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, and must exit before 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 11. The garages are Aquarium (24 Calhoun St.), Visitors Center (63 Mary St.), Queen Street (83 Queen St.), East Bay/Prioleau (25 Prioleau St.), and Charleston Tech Center (4 Conroy St.).

To use storm parking, pull a ticket at the entrance and keep it.

At exit, insert the ticket and scan the city’s storm parking QR code to leave free of charge.

Residents who lose their ticket or do not have the QR code can press the help button on the exit machine, say they were there for storm parking, and give their name and address.

Vehicles left in a garage after 4:00 p.m. Sunday may be charged for the additional time.

The Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square is canceled for Saturday.

Residents are asked to secure loose items and yard debris, keep storm drains near their homes clear, and never drive through a flooded road.

The city’s WaterWise site brings the latest storm information and flood tools together in one place.

It includes TIDEeye for real-time street closures and storm preparedness resources.

To report flooding or ask a non-emergency question, residents should contact the Citizens Services Desk at 843-724-7311 or citizenservices@charleston-sc.gov.

The city will share its next update Friday morning.

Updates will be posted to https://www.charleston-sc.gov/3144/WaterWise and on the city’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Copyright 2026 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The City of Charleston has activated its Active Flood Mitigation Plan as Hurricane Isaias and an upcoming king tide cycle are expected to present increased flooding risks to the Lowcountry this weekend

Mayor William Cogswell announced the activation Thursday, citing forecasts that call for hazardous weather conditions beginning Friday night and continuing through Sunday morning. While Isaias is expected to track west of the Charleston area, the National Weather Service is forecasting periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, possible isolated tornadoes and dangerous rip currents.

City officials are anticipating 3 to 4 inches of rainfall, with locally higher amounts possible. King tides are expected to compound the threat, peaking near 7.7 feet in Charleston Harbor on Saturday morning and remaining elevated through the weekend.

“Flooding is one of the biggest challenges this city faces, and we are not waiting for the water to show up before we act,” Cogswell said. “Our crews have been clearing drains since last weekend, pumps are going in, and we are lowering the lakes to make room for the rain.”

Under the city's flood mitigation plan, stormwater crews have been cleaning storm drains and debris since flooding earlier this week, while additional vacuum trucks and mobile pumps are being deployed ahead of the storm. Pumps at Huger Street and Lockwood Drive will operate throughout the weekend, officials said, and additional pumps are being brought in for Morrison Drive and Limehouse Street.

The city is also lowering water levels at Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer to increase stormwater capacity, staging barricades in flood-prone locations and preparing emergency response resources. The Charleston Fire Department will staff two high-water vehicles, and emergency management personnel will monitor conditions throughout the weekend.

Code enforcement officers have been patrolling downtown areas to prevent debris from entering storm drains, while city inspectors have been with contractors to ensure active construction sites are secured before the storm arrives.

To help residents protect their vehicles from flooding, the city will open five parking garages free of charge beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. City residents may park in the Aquarium, Visitors Center, Queen Street, East Bay/Prioleau and Charleston Tech Center garages through 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square has been canceled for Saturday because of the expected weather.

City officials urged residents to secure outdoor items, clear storm drains near their homes and avoid driving through flooded roadways. Residents can monitor flooding conditions and street closures through the city's WaterWise and TIDEeye resources.

Updates will be provided as weather conditions develop throughout the weekend.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, and the city of Charleston are partnering together to identify ways to reduce tidal and inland flood risk and make the area more resilient.

“We’re not looking at short-term fixes that will help for five years. We’re looking for fixes that will help for, you know, decades and decades to come,” Chrissa Waite, project manager with the Charleston District of the Army Corps of Engineers, said.

The city says flood risk continues to increase as extreme weather events become more frequent.

“The reality is, you know, we’re seeing more and more of these extreme weather events, be it hurricanes or our higher king tides. You know, 75% of our king tides have occurred over the past decade,” Kaylan Koszela, director of resilience at the city of Charleston, said.

For residents, the impact of flooding is already part of everyday life.

“Flooding on our streets. When we have a hard rain and the ditches overflow when we have the hard rain,” Marsha Higgins, resident of the Maryville and Ashleyville Neighborhood Association, said.

The study is looking at both inland and tidal flooding. Project leaders are now sharing potential fixes with the community.

“Elevating roadways in certain areas. It might include increasing the size of culverts to move water out of neighborhoods when we have extreme rainfall. It might include putting in tidal gates at certain areas to prevent those king tides from getting into neighborhoods. So those are the types of things we’re considering right now,” Waite said.

While flood mitigation is the top priority, this partnership is helping take these ideas to the next level.

“Maybe how could we imagine Savannah Highway to help, you know, use it as a type of barrier from our increasing sea level polarize, but also improve, you know, we could widen it while we’re doing that too, right? Like how can we improve traffic while we’re also looking at how we could improve flooding and similar with some of our green spaces. How can we conserve some green spaces or re-enhance our marsh areas that can also provide this public benefit, public amenity, but also help us with our flooding challenges,” Koszela said.

These ideas could also help relieve other issues Charleston residents face.

“The worst issue we got right now is the traffic. That’s the flood on the highway,” John Carr, vice president of the Neighborhood Association at Maryville and Ashleyville, said.

Prioritizing marshes and wetlands, which can absorb floodwater and help reduce erosion, is an important aspect of the study too.

Residents say plans for the peninsula, West Ashley and James Island need to account for how people travel across the region, and how flooding affects them wherever they live.

“Many of us go to these medical facilities for our health care. I was down there last week when the streets were flooded. You know, my neighbor was with me, and so we had a hard time kind of maneuvering things. So that affects us, and that affects our quality of life,” Higgins said.

The team hopes to have a draft plan to share with the public by spring 2027.

Final plans for West Ashley and the peninsula are expected by summer 2028 and James Island by summer 2029.

The Army Corps and the city are hosting another meeting Oct. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on James Island at the Baxter-Patrick James Island Library.

Copyright 2026 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Weather News

The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.

An updated flash flood warning was issued by the NWS Charleston SC on Saturday at 7:23 a.m. in effect until 9:30 a.m. for Charleston County.

"At 7:23 a.m., City of Charleston Emergency Management reported heavy rain in Downtown Charleston. Flash flooding is already occurring with several road closures across the city," explains the NWS. "An area of intense rainfall moved through the Folly Beach, James Island, Johns Island, West Ashley, and Downtown Charleston areas and produced 1 to 2 inches of rain. The heaviest rain has now lifted northward but light to occasionally moderate rain will continue. Additional rounds of heavy rain could develop through mid morning. City of Charleston Emergency Management reported several roads closed across the Downtown Charleston area and flash flooding is ongoing. Additionally, a inundation depth sensor on Ogier Street near Calhoun Street reported an inundation depth of over half of a foot."

Locations impacted by the warning include North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, James Island, Johns Island, West Ashley, Downtown Charleston, Fort Sumter, Daniel Island, Folly Beach and Kiawah Island.

"Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas," says the NWS. "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."

This warning is in effect until 9:30 a.m.

For either residents or campers of flood-prone, low-lying areas, take immediate action and seek higher ground. Follow evacuation instructions without delay. If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances. Avoid entering basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged in water. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate the area immediately. Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters. Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet. If you find yourself trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and contact emergency services, and dial 911.

When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions. It is important to never attempt to drive through water on the road, regardless of how deep it appears. According to the NWS, as little as 12 inches of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is primarily caused by three factors:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

United Robots South Carolina

CHARLESTON — A flash flood warning from the National Weather Service is in effect for Charleston County the morning of Oct. 10.

At 7:23 a.m., NWS issued an alert, as Charleston’s Emergency Management Division reported heavy rain downtown, resulting in flash flooding which has closed several roads across the city, according to the warning.

Traffic moved freely through most of downtown Charleston the morning of Oct. 10, despite the number of streets being closed with flooding. The majority, including Washington Street near Union Pier, are among the usual suspects that locals know to avoid during King Tides and heavy rains.

The flash flood warning was in effect until 9:30 a.m.

Locations that will experience flash flooding include North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, James Island, Johns Island, West Ashley, downtown Charleston, Fort Sumter, Daniel Island, Folly Beach and Kiawah Island, the warning said.

“An area of intense rainfall moved through the Folly Beach, James Island, Johns Island, West Ashley and downtown Charleston areas and produced 1 to 2 inches of rain,” the warning stated. “The heaviest rain has now lifted northward but light to occasionally moderate rain will continue. Additional rounds of heavy rain could develop through mid morning.”

Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida as a Category 2 hurricane the night of Oct. 9. Moisture associated with the storm could bring significant rainfall along the South Carolina coast through Oct. 10 and into Oct. 11.

Charleston Harbor’s tide peaked at 7.76 feet at 8:42 a.m. on Oct. 10, according to NWS. Later, around 8 p.m., the high tide is forecasted to reach 7.1 feet, according to Charleston County’s Geographical Information System’s TIDEeye.

Cancellations

Ahead of the weather, several events have been canceled or rescheduled.

Free garage parking available

Five parking garages on the Charleston peninsula are currently free of charge “so city residents can move their vehicles out of flood-prone areas,” according to a news release from the city.

The parking initiative began Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. and expires Oct. 11 at 4 p.m., the news release said.

Residents interested in moving their vehicles under a cover amid expected heavy rain must pull a ticket at the entrance of any of the five parking garages listed below and keep it. Once they leave, they should insert the ticket into the exit machine and scan the city’s “storm parking QR code” to exit free of charge, according to the news release.

The five parking garages participating in the city’s storm parking initiative are: