First Alert: Tropical Storm Idalia threatens Coastal Empire and Lowcountry

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Tropical Storm Idalia will soon become a hurricane and then a major hurricane before making landfall somewhere along the Big Bend of Florida. As it make its way to Georgia, it will weaken but still have hurricane force winds then tropical storm force winds closer to Charleston. If you have not prepared your home, nor gotten batteries or portable charges, you still have time as The First Alert Weather Team says the worst of the storm impacts will be Wednesday.

This system has been dealing with some wind shear aloft and not strengthened into hurricane, but rapid intensification is expected Tuesday evening into Wednesday before making landfall as a CAT3.

Impacts for Southeast Georgia and South Carolina include tropical storm force wind gusts for all the viewing area with hurricane force wind gusts for the immediate coast; ie Jekyll to Tybee to Hilton Head to Hunting Island. Three to five inches of rain with isolated totals of six inches possible. Scattered tornadoes are possible and storm surge on top of a supermoon tide means coastal inundation and Highway 80 will be closed Wednesday evening.

No major changes to the 5pm Idalia advisory. We still expect landfall in Florida Wednesday morning as a major hurricane. Idalia will move over our area Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions expected inland with hurricane conditions at the beaches. pic.twitter.com/92fBnDSdrI
— WTOC David Turley (@WtocDave) August 28, 2023