Much of Lowcountry South Carolina is under a Tropical Storm Watch as Hurricane Ian makes its way toward the coast of Florida.
While its too early to tell the exact track Ian will take, the Lowcountry is expected to experience tropical impacts from the storm, with the possibility of rain, flooding, wind and isolated tornadoes being the main threats.
Charleston
The City of Charleston is preparing for the storm by cancelling a number of events and offering free sand and bags for residents to make their own sandbags.
The following events have been canceled or rescheduled:
- West Ashley Farmers Market, September 28 – cancelled.
- Coffee with the Mayor, September 29 from 8 – 9 a.m. at Local Works, 1859 Summerville Avenue, Suite 800 – cancelled.
- MOJA Opening Parade, September 29 – cancelled.
- MOJA Visual Arts reception, September 29 5 – 7 p.m. at City Gallery – rescheduled to a later date.
- MOJA Reggae Block Dance, September 30 6 p.m. at Brittlebank Park – cancelled.
- Charleston Farmers Market, October 1 – cancelled.
- Operation Neighborhood, October 1 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Hampstead Square Park, Columbus and America Streets – rescheduled to a later date.
- Black Biz on the Block, October 1 – from 1 to 5 p.m. at Philip Simmons Park, 64 Columbus Street – rescheduled to October 22.
- Cooper River Bridge Run Kids Run, October 2 from 2 – 6 p.m. at Stoney Field – rescheduled to a later date.
The City says the decisions were made with guidance from the Emergency Management Division.
Multiple Lowcountry counties are also under a Storm Surge Watch until Friday at 11:12 a.m.
To assist with the potential impacts of flooding, the City of Charleston is offering residents free sand and bags at several pickup locations on Wednesday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. They include:
- Bee’s Landing Recreation Center, 1580 Ashley Garden Boulevard (West Ashley)
- Hampton Park parking lot on the corner of Ashley Avenue and Mary Murray Drive (peninsula)
- Seven Farms Drive behind Governor’s Park Dog Park, Under I-526 (Daniel Island)
- Grace Bridge Street parking lot between America and East Bay streets (peninsula)
- James Island Town Hall, 1122 Dills Bluff Road (James Island)
Residents are asked to bring their own shovels. The amount of sand and number of bags will be limited to 10 sandbags per home.
To purchase additional sandbags, citizens should contact a local home hardware store.
For more information, visit the City of Charleston's Hurricane Information section of its website.
North Charleston
The City of North Charleston is offering free sandbags for residents on Wednesday from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., or until supplies last.
The following locations will have sandbags available for pickup:
- Gussie Greene Community Center – 2008 Success Street
- North Charleston Athletic Center – 5600 Casper Padgett Way
- North Charleston Aquatics Center – 8610 Patriot Boulevard
Proof of North Charleston residency is required. Sandbags are not available for businesses. Up to six will be available.
Mount Pleasant
The Town of Mount Pleasant will offer residents sand and sandbags beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday from three different locations:
- Memorial Waterfront Park
- R.L. Jones Center
- Park West Recreation Complex
There will be a limit of 10 bags per person/family.
Goose Creek
The City of Goose Creek says sandbags are now available at the Goose Creek Fire Department Headquarters Station, which is located at 201 Button Hall Avenue.
Sandbags will be limited to 10 per family.
Stay weather aware! Following the ABC News 4 Storm Tracker meteorology team: