Full Notification

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Division continues to closely monitor Hurricane Michael. According to this afternoon's National Hurricane Center advisory, the storm made landfall in Florida and is moving north-northeast at 14 miles per hour with winds at 155 miles per hour.

Beaufort County and neighboring coastal areas remain under a tropical storm warning. In addition, the National Weather Service issued coastal flood and high surf advisories for our area through tomorrow.

We urge Beaufort County's residents and guests to be cautious during the storm, which is expected to impact our area starting early tomorrow morning. We are expected to see effects from the storm throughout the day tomorrow. Below are some key points from Sheriff P.J. Tanner's press conference held earlier this afternoon:

• There is an increased chance for isolated tornadoes. 
• Swing bridges (Harbor River Bridge and Woods Memorial Bridge) will be chained and closed to marine traffic only. Vehicles will be able to drive across.
• Beaufort County government, public schools, Town of Bluffton, Town of Hilton Head, City of Beaufort and Town of Port Royal, University of South Carolina Beaufort and Technical College of the Lowcountry are all closed tomorrow, but hopefully will re-open on Friday.
• Residents and guests are encouraged to stay off the roads during the storm if at all possible. If you have to drive, be mindful of road conditions, especially when crossing bridges.
• Avoid being under trees, due to weakened root systems, falling limbs and loose branches.
• Avoid downed trees and power lines, which are commonly seen in this type of storm.  

Forecasts 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
• 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

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/

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