Storm forecast to hit SC could be a cyclone that causes heavy rain & flooding in Midlands

One severe weather advisory was already in place Monday morning as a storm that could turn into a cyclone is forecast to affect the Columbia area, according to the National Weather Service .

The potential cyclone, which could become Tropical Storm Helene , is expected to move from the Atlantic Ocean and make landfall in South Carolina before moving through the Midlands and continuing inland as it heads north , National Weather Service meteorologists said in a Monday morning briefing.

The storm could track close to the Midlands on Tuesday, from late morning to the early afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.

But starting Monday, the Columbia area could be affected by severe weather — including powerful winds, heavy rain and possible flooding — according to the briefing.

Moderate to potentially heavy rain will be possible late Monday morning, and is expected to continue through the afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

Winds will also increase throughout the day, and a Lake Wind Advisory was issued for the Midlands, according to the briefing. The advisory went into effect at 2 a.m., and will run through 2 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. No other watches or warnings have been issued in the Columbia area, but that could change as the storm moves closer.

Richland and Lexington counties as well as most of the Midlands are included in the advisory.

North winds as powerful as 15 to 25 mph are in the forecast, and gusts up to 35 mph possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Gusty winds can create dangerous conditions for smaller boats on area lakes, according to the briefing.

“Boaters on area lakes should use extra caution since strong winds and rough waves can overturn small craft,” the National Weather Service said.

Powerful winds also could cause trees to be downed, the National Weather Service said. Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.

More than an inch of rain could be recorded in the Columbia area as there’s a 60% chance of rain Monday, according to the forecast. Localized amounts in other areas of the Midlands could be higher, especially in the northeast portion and in the Pee Dee region, the briefing shows.

Other parts of South Carolina could experience 3 to 6 of rain, the state’s Emergency Management Division said.

In the Midlands, the rain is expected to taper off Tuesday, as the chance of precipitation will drop from 30% to 20%, according to the forecast.

The moderate to heavy rain could cause localized flooding Monday, primarily in the area northeast of Interstate 26, the National Weather Service said. Both storm surge flooding and flash flooding are threats, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division .

“South Carolina residents and visitors in potentially vulnerable areas should review their plans,” the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said. “Everyone should monitor the storm ... especially people in low-lying areas along the South Carolina coast.”

High temperatures in Columbia are not expected to get above the mid 70s Monday, but should return to the 80s for the rest of the week after the storm moves out of the area, according to the forecast.

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