Full Notification

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Division continues to closely monitor Hurricane Michael. According to this morning's National Hurricane Center advisory, the storm is in the Gulf of Mexico moving north-northeast at 14 miles per hour and has maximum sustained winds of 145 miles per hour.

Sheriff P.J. Tanner has scheduled a press conference for 1:00 p.m. today on the second floor of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Center, 2001 Duke Street in Beaufort to address the storm's potential impacts on Beaufort County. Media: newspapers, radio and television are encouraged to attend. The press conference will broadcast live on the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortCoSO/ and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCountyChannel/live
 
Beaufort County and neighboring coastal areas are under a tropical storm warning, which means tropical storm force winds are possible within the next 36 hours—tonight into tomorrow. In addition, the National Weather Service issued coastal flood and high surf advisories for our area through Thursday.

Forecasts changed little overnight and still indicate Beaufort County may experience the following impacts as a result of the storm: 

• Winds 25 to 35 miles per hour – gusts could reach 45 miles per hour
• Possible damage to roofing and siding. Travel along bridges may be difficult. Scattered power outages
• Elevated threat for tornadoes Wednesday afternoon into Thursday
• 2 to 4 inches of rain forecast between tonight and Friday morning
• Marine conditions -  8 to 10 foot seas, winds 40 to 45 knots
• Coastal flooding due to high tides
• High rip current risk

Special Instructions:

• In the event of a tornado, go to the lowest, most interior, windowless room in your home 
• To report downed trees and blocked roads, call the non-emergency dispatch line at (843) 524-2777
• Report power outages to your power company

Currently, there are no bridges closed or plans to close bridges in Beaufort County. The Beaufort County School District announced that public schools will be closed on Thursday, October 11th.   

Please continue to follow official sources for information on Hurricane Michael and avoid misinformation spread through social media. Please tell your family and friends to sign up for NIXLE www.nixle.com to receive up-to-date information on matters of public safety.  

We encourage you to monitor the storm on your own through the National Weather Service Charleston https://www.weather.gov/chs/

Thank you for your partnership and continued commitment to the safety of our community.