Ian was again reduced to a post-tropical cyclone Friday afternoon, just hours after making the landfall of South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane, as per the National Hurricane Center.
The storm lasted two days in Florida. Florida. Forecasters reported that in their 8 p.m. update on Friday that Ian is still the threat of high winds and will bring massive flash flooding and rain across the Carolinas.
The category 1 hurricane struck close to Georgetown, South Carolina, at around 2 p.m. and was packing the maximum sustained speed of 85 miles per hour. At the time of 8.30 p.m. news update the maximum sustained winds had decreased by 60 to. Ian was approximately 45 miles north to Florence, South Carolina, and was heading north at 15 mph.
This storm could move through the central region of North Carolina overnight into Saturday and then weaken further the center of the hurricane announced in its 8.30 p.m. Update. Ian could disappear or over North Carolina or Virginia later Saturday.
Massive river flooding is expected to continue for the rest of the week across Central Florida, according to the National Weather Service. On Friday, areas that are in South Carolina are expected to be flooded to the point of being a major problem.
Within the Tampa Bay area, the National Weather Service issued flood warnings for the Manatee River in Manatee County and The Alafia River at Lithia in Hillsborough County and the Little Manatee River located at Wimauma located at U.S. 301 in Hillsborough County. Other rivers throughout the south and central regions of Florida are also subject to warnings about flooding.
In the case of the Alafia River, a flood stage starts around 13 feet. As of 1 p.m. at the time of this report, the National Weather Service recorded water levels of 18.16 feet, which puts this river within a medium stage of flooding just 1 foot from an important flood stage. According to the National Weather Service expects water levels to hit 18.6 feet by Saturday morning before beginning to decline.
The Little Manatee River is in an important flood stage. The major stage of flood in the river’s 17-foot level or higher. Readings on Friday morning revealed that the levels of water that had reached the point of flooding, however, they were decreasing throughout the day. As of one p.m. the level was 16.8 feet. The forecasts indicate that water levels to move downwards into the next week. However, water levels will remain up until the weekend.
The National Weather Service says if you see a road inundated avoid driving on it. Most deaths from flooding occur in vehicles according to it said. Weather Service said. Avoid walking through the flood waters and be aware of any power lines during floods.
