COLUMBIA, S.C. – Officials are warning people in South Carolina that Hurricane Ian will be a problem for much of the state on Friday.
The storm is forecast to make landfall midday Friday as a Category 1 hurricane. But the storm is so broad that gusty winds, heavy rain and storm surge will arrive hours before.
Along the coast, 4 to 7 feet of storm surge is expected, rivaling problems created by hurricanes over the past decade. If Ian comes ashore as a hurricane, it would be the first hurricane to strike the state since Matthew in 2016.
National Guard troops are being positioned to help with the aftermath, including any water rescues and highway crews will be ready to clear roads.
Thursday afternoon, a steady stream of vehicles were heading out of Charleston on Interstate 26 with just a few heading into the city.
Gov. Henry McMaster issued no evacuations, but he said that doesn’t mean the storm isn’t dangerous.
“We know we can handle this if we use our heads and follow the rules,” McMaster said.
