COLUMBIA, S.C. — After reestablishing itself as a hurricane off the Atlantic coast, Ian made landfall on Friday in South Carolina - the first hurricane to do so in the state since 2016. The storm has since dropped to the category of a post-tropical cyclone but is still dumping heavy rain on the region and many counties are still dealing with its direct impacts.
News19 will have continuing coverage throughout the event here on our website and WLTX news app. If you don't have the app you can download it for the latest for both Android | iPhone. You can also find live streams and replays of our newscasts, extended weather coverage, and live special reports on the WLTX + App available on Roku and Amazon Fire.
Key information:
- The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is at Operational Condition One.
- COMET buses continue to run on Friday.
- Law enforcement agencies from the Midlands to the Charleston area ask motorists to stay off the roads.
- President Biden approves a state of emergency in South Carolina.
- Gov. McMaster advises people to be "careful, be smart, don't be a statistic."
- Ian is now a hurricane again.
- Hurricane warnings are in effect for the entire South Carolina coast, and tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Midlands.
- No evacuations have been ordered.
- Latest Forecast Here
Ian: Photos of the storm in South Carolina
Latest updates
7 pm: South Carolina currently has 180,604 power outages across the state. And while those predominantly impacted the coast, to begin with, they have begun to impact more areas inland. Richland County currently has about 10,373 customers without power - the most of any inland county. Sumter has also seen an increase to about 5,823 customers without power.
Orangeburg now has about 29,153, or roughly 10% of the county's customers without power. Clarendon County is reporting about 1,964 customers without power. Outage reports across all providers in other Midlands counties fall significantly after that point.
6 pm: COMET will suspend bus service at 8 p.m. due to concerns over potentially unsafe weather conditions. Regular service will resume on Saturday. Additional updates will be made available through the Inclement Weather Hotline at 803-255-7118.
5:30 pm: A cooperative observer reports up to 5.25 inches of rain in Longtown and rain was still falling at that time.
5:22 pm: News19's Nydja Hood found significant damage at a Marathon gas station in Holly Hill - specifically impacting the awning over the gas pumps.
5:20 pm: Law Enforcement in Kershaw County report a tree in the roadway along Highway 601 at McCord Ferry Road outside of Elgin.
5 pm: Law enforcement reporting power lines down along Perkins Road at Goodwin Road near the Gadsden area.
4:42 pm: Ian has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph as it continues to move through South Carolina at about 15 mph.
4:36 pm: Police and firefighters are on the scene of a tree that toppled onto a house on Coleman Street in Columbia. The tree also hit a car. Columbia Police said there are no reported injuries.
4:32 pm: A Flood Advisory has been issued for Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter counties until 7:30 p.m.
4:30 pm: Law enforcement in Calhoun County report a tree blocking Midway Road at Old State Road.
4:25 pm: McEntire Joint National Guard Base in Richland County reports a 51 mph gust of wind.
4:20 pm: Law enforcement in Kershaw County report that a tree is down along Fort Jackson Road and Highway Church Road.
4:12 pm: I-26 westbound is closed from the exit to SC-202 to Prosperity to the exit to SC-773 to Prosperity due to a crash. According to the Newberry County Sheriff's Office, the crash happened near mile marker 85 and involved a tractor-trailer spilling fuel.
3:45 pm: Law Enforcement is reporting power lines down on road in the area of Lodge Hall Street and Olin Road in Orangeburg County near Vance.
3:30 pm: Power outages continue to fluctuate throughout South Carolina - particularly on the coast but also in parts of the Midlands. Orangeburg County currently has the most outages reported across all providers of any county in the general Columbia area with 7,136 customers in the dark - or about a quarter of all customers in the county.
Clarendon County has seen an improvement and is now down to 1,122 outages - about half of what was reported earlier in the afternoon.
Richland County now has about 3,361 outages and Sumter County has 1,847. Lee County is reporting 932 outages - or about one in 10 customers in that county.
3:21 pm: Richland Library has announced plans to reopen all locations on Saturday at 11 a.m. following Hurricane Ian and Friday's heavy rains.
3:20 pm: Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley reports that there have been trees and power lines down in the county over the last several hours but is optimistic moving forward. Baxley said that ditches are full but appear to be draining. He also said that utility crews are already out and cutting branches.
Meanwhile, he said that power outages are being handled. Data from utilities shows that outages have been cut in half compared to what they were earlier in the afternoon. Currently, about 1,122 customers are without power in the county.
2:48 pm: Prisma Health is waiving fees for virtual care during Hurricane Ian. The waiving of fees is effective immediately and Prisma Health is offering virtual care for what it describes as common conditions at no charge to residents impacted by Ian, which has brought flooding, wind, and damage to many parts of South Carolina.
Prisma Health's eVisits do not require video and are available on both mobile devices and computers. Included illnesses that can be treated under the virtual program include influenza, sinus pain, urinary tract infections, and rashes. These visits are for patients 18 and older. Prescriptions can be transferred electronically to the pharmacy a patient chooses.
However, Prisma Health stresses that these electronic services are not meant for use in a medical emergency. In those cases, call 911 instead.
Go to the eVisits website for more information and use the promo code HurricaneIAN.
2:07 pm: Lexington Police are urging the public to avoid the area of Azalea Drive near Harmon Street due to a tree down on a power pole. A photo shared by the department shows the tree leaning against the poll which was still upright at the time the photo was taken.
2:07 pm: Power outages are growing significantly along the South Carolina coast and also inland toward the Midlands. Currently, Clarendon County has the most reported outages with 2,095. Sumter now has 1,563 and Richland has 1,002. Roughly 572 customers are without power in Lee County and 564 in Orangeburg County. Lexington County has 419 customers without power. Outages drop off significantly from there in other Midlands counties.
2:05 pm: Hurricane Ian has made landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina as a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 85 mph and an estimated minimum central pressure of 977 millibars.
2:04 pm: The Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) Columbia Team Hope Walk has officially been rescheduled for Oct. 30 due to weather. The event will be at 2 p.m. at Community Park in Irmo.
2 pm: The center of Ian is about to make landfall in South Carolina, according to the National Weather Service, bringing with it the continued dangers surrounding storm surge, damaging winds, and flash flooding.
1:41 pm: McEntire Joint National Guard Base reported a wind gust of 44 mph.
1:39 pm: The National Weather Service has released a sample of rain totals in and around the Columbia area with many ranging from 1 to 2 inches as of 1:30 p.m. Other areas, including Santee, Panola Station in Clarendon County, Longview Farm in Calhoun County, and the city of Sumter have seen more than 2 inches. Dantzler Farm in Orangeburg is reporting even more at 3.22 inches.
1:36 pm: The National Weather Service has shared public reports of tropical storm wind damage in Sumter County near Dalzell including three-inch tree limbs broken and reports of power poles broken.
1:36 pm: The emergency manager in Clarendon County reports trees on power lines along Doyle Street near Lake Marion.
1:30 pm: The University of South Carolina Police Department is reporting traffic lights out at Green and Pickens streets as well as College and Sumter streets. Drivers should use extreme caution in the area.
1:15 pm: The South Carolina Highway Patrol is reporting trees down along Pine Grove and Muller roads near Blythewood.
1:14 pm: Video shared by News19's Becky Budds shows streets in Sumter with limited traffic but continued rain as local businesses stand by with sandbags if flooding begins.
1:12 pm: The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for Bamberg, Calhoun, Clarendon, Lee, Orangeburg, and Sumter counties until 7:15 p.m. Doppler radar is indicating heavy rain with minor flooding ongoing or expected to begin shortly. This advisory includes I-95 between mile markers 85 and 146, I-26 between mile markers 145 and 169, and I-20 between mile markers 116 and 126.
1:06 pm: The emergency manager in Clarendon County is reporting flood waters covering Memorial Street at Lantern Lane in Manning. However, the road remains passable.
12 pm: The Emergency Manager in Orangeburg County reports widespread trees down near the Santee, Vance, and Eutawville areas between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.
12:49 pm: News19's Becky Budds is reporting the intersection of Broad Street and Wise Drive being shut down in Sumter due to a downed power line. Rain is coming down heavily and the wind has begun picking up.
12:40 pm: South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers are reporting trees down along I-95 northbound near mile-marker 130 that are blocking part of the road. This is near the exit to SC-527 to Sardinia and Kingstree.
12:20 pm: Power outages have risen considerably in three Columbia Counties. Just after noon on Friday, Clarendon County was reporting 1,186 outages while Orangeburg County has 811. Sumter is also seeing an increase with about 703 outages. The highest outage rate in the state is in Charleston County which has roughly 25,000 customers without power out of its 241,000 power customers.
12:16 pm: South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers in Lee County are reporting a tree in the roadway along I-20 near mile marker 115 which is about one mile west of the exit to US-15 North to Bishopville.
12:13 pm: The emergency manager in Clarendon County reports a tree on power lines along Kingstree Highway at Meagan Lane.
11:51 am: Dominion is reporting that Hurricane Ian has caused "sporadic, fluctuating" outages across South Carolina with the highest rate, so far, being around 11 a.m. during which the 16,000. And while the latest reports show many of the outages in the Midlands being repaired, the storm's impact is likely far from over.
Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam said that crews have been working on both Thursday and Friday to handle outages. However, those working in the coastal areas have now been forced to find a safe location due to the rapidly deteriorating weather.
"Rest assured, we will work safely and as quickly as we can until every one of our customers has their power restored," We appreciate our customers’ patience and support,” Kissam said.
Dominion also reports having crews from Virginia, Tennessee, and Maryland assisting.
11:42 am: South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers are reporting a tree in the roadway along Clarkson Road and Martin Luther King Boulevard near Hopkins.
11:40 am: The emergency manager in Clarendon County reports trees on power lines along Dillon Street in Manning.
11:25 am: Clarendon County Fire Rescue is reporting yet another tree down across a road. The latest report is on Salem Road near McIntosh Road. A photo shared by the department also shows the tree at least partially on a powerline. Drivers should find an alternate route.
11:09 am: Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis is urging anyone who doesn't need to be on the county's many roads to avoid driving on them. Sheriff Dennis cited increasing winds, downed trees, toppled power lines, and inoperable traffic lights as reasons not to travel until the storm passes.
In a statement, he said emergency responders have already handled calls involving various emergencies related to the weather.
11 am: Ian continues as a Category 1 hurricane as it moves toward the South Carolina coast, where it will come ashore Friday afternoon, bringing with it storm surge on the coast and heavy rainfall and strong winds in other parts of the state.
As of the 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Ian had maximum sustained winds of 85 miles an hour and was moving to the north-northeast at 14 miles an hour.
You can read the regularly-updated forecast from the News19 Weather Team here.
10:55 am: Clarendon County Fire Rescue is warning drivers on Highway 260 near Oak Grove Church Road to use caution. A tree and powerline are now down across the road. Anyone who can do so is advised to find an alternate route.
10:29 am: Drivers in and around the town of Sumter are being urged to use caution due to power outages impacting traffic lights - particularly in the downtown area. There are currently 382 outages reported in the county.
10:19 am: Columbia-Richland Fire has released photos of damage reported in the county since Thursday with warnings that issues with downed trees, downed power lines, and otherwise damaged property are expected to get worse.
9:51 am: Shaw Air Force Base is reporting wind gusts of up to 39 mph according to an Automated Surface Observing System at the location.
9:35 am: Law enforcement agencies in Lexington County are reporting roadway flooding on Pond Branch Road and I-20.
9:35 am: The Automated Weather Observing System at Santee Cooper Regional Airport in Clarendon County is reporting wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
9:24 am: South Carolina is reporting a majority of its power outages along the coast. However, three Midlands counties are also experiencing notable power loss. Richland County currently has about 1,283 customers without power, Kershaw County has about 931 without power and Lexington County has about 639 customers without power.
9:15 am: The Red Cross of South Carolina has announced three shelters currently open across the state. A shelter has been opened at Ridgeland High School in Ridgeland at 250 Jaguar Trail, the Bond Court Detention Center in Charleston at 3851 Leeds Avenue, Dunston Elementary School in Charleston at 1825 Remount Road, and Williamsburg County Recreation Center in Kingstree at 2084 Thurgood Marshall Highway.
9:14 am: Gov. Henry McMaster has announced a briefing regarding Ian for 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
8:07 am: SCEMD is at Operational Condition One
This is from the state's emergency management agency. That means a disaster or emergency is imminent or occurring. The State Emergency Operations Center is fully activated. All agency personnel are activated
Also, crews from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana are headed to the coastal counties of South Carolina to assist with power restoration. 143 people from out-of-state electrical cooperatives are assisting South Carolina co-operative companies to restore power. Check real-time power outages for major electric providers and co-ops at this link.
7:35 am: COMET continues regular bus service on Friday
The COMET - Central Midlands Transit system says it will continue regular fixed route service on Friday, Sept. 30, although USC routes will be reduced as the university is closed to in-person instruction on Friday. COMET urges riders to check for the latest travel updates or interruptions due to weather by calling (803) 255-7118.
6:52 am: Richland County Sheriff's Department urges drivers to stay off the roads.
6:40 am: Charleston Police cautions travel in the Charleston area
Police Department urges essential travel only in downtown Charleston due to flooding; lists roads closed due to high water.
5:45 am: President Biden approves state of emergency in South Carolina.
The order will allow FEMA to provide assistance to local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Ian
5 am: - Ian gets a little stronger
Hurricane Ian's winds are up to 85 miles an hour. The storm is still on track to come ashore in South Carolina early Friday afternoon. Here's the latest forecast
10:30: pm Shaw Air Force Base gets ready for Hurricane Ian:
The 20th Fighter Wing emergency response teams prepared for the possibility of high winds and flooding brought on by Tropical Storm Ian.
“Team Shaw is leaning forward and preparing the base to ensure that our Airmen, Soldiers, and families are postured for Tropical Storm Ian’s arrival,” said 20th Fighter Wing commander Col. Kristoffer Smith. “Our goal is to keep people safe and off the roads as much as possible as the storm impacts the area, all while continuing to ensure seamless support for our critical missions.” Airmen from the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron prepared barriers, cleaned storm drains, fueled backup generators, and provided materials for units to secure facilities with sandbags.
"Our engineers, to include our emergency responders, have prepared all week for the potential impacts from the storm,” said 20th Civil Engineer Squadron commander Lt. Col. Jimmy Oxendine.
“We stand ready to respond anytime, anywhere in support of Team Shaw and the Sumter community
10:15 pm: Kershaw County Sheriff's Office:
10:06 pm City of West Columbia:
10:01 pm: DHEC closes shellfish harvesting beds statewide
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closing all shellfish harvesting beds statewide due to Hurricane Ian and forecasted rainfall estimates, the agency announced today.
"This closure goes into effect at official sunset today, Thursday, Sept. 29, and affects all shellfish harvesting beds in the State of South Carolina," said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section. "The harvesting areas will be reopened once post-storm assessments are performed and water quality monitoring indicate bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting."
9:38 pm: City of Newberry
9:18 pm: Lexington Police Department
We continue to monitor Hurricane Ian and if you live in the Town of Lexington and need an officer, please have our non-emergency number of 803-359-6260 saved on your mobile phone.
9:13 pm: From Congressman James Clyburn
Dear Friend,
The National Weather Service for Columbia, South Carolina reports that hurricane Ian will bring in heavy rain and gusty winds across the state, which could result in flash flooding Friday and Saturday and isolated tornadoes. These effects will not be isolated to coastal areas. Now is the time to ensure you and your family are prepared and able to receive critical updates in case of an emergency.
What can you do?
Plan
1. Make an evacuation plan and know your evacuation route.
2. Make sure everyone in your family is aware of your evacuation plan and zone.
3. Ensure you have a disaster preparation plan in place for your pets.
Prepare
1. Assemble an emergency kit with 3-5 days of supplies, including important family documents, for you and your family.
2. Keep an eye out for Wireless Emergency Alert messages being sent to your phone.
3. Register for CodeRED notifications via phone call, text, or email. Sign up here.
4. Monitor local broadcast TV and radio for Emergency Alert System updates.
5. Bring a spare battery for your NOAA Weather Radio.
6. Bring battery packs and extra cables to keep your devices charged.
Protect
1. Bring in any outdoor pets.
2. Clean out gutters and yard debris.
3. Bring in lawn furniture and children’s toys.
9:05 pm: FBI in Columbia offers advice:
As the southeast is confronted by Hurricane Ian, remember to be cautious of who you make charitable donations to, as not everyone has good intentions like you may have. See what the #FBI warns you to look out for here:
9:00 pm: National Weather Service advice:
8:54 pm: City of Cayce
** IMPORTANT CITY UPDATE **
All City of Cayce offices will be closed Friday. City Parks, Trails and the Cayce Riverwalk will be closed Friday.
If your sanitation is scheduled to be picked up on Friday, please note that it will not be picked up until Monday. *It is important that you not put trash or recycle at the street during a storm as the winds could be strong enough to pick up the debris and damage surrounding property.
Finally, any utilities scheduled to be turned off will be not be turned off during the storm and will resume Monday when City offices reopen.
8:45pm South Carolina Department of Public Safety:
8:08pm SCEMD
8:04pm - COMET update
Friday, September 30th, The COMET will provide regular fixed route service, but the UofSC routes will be on reduced service hours.
Comet will continue to watch Tropical Storm Ian and adjust service if necessary.
Call 803.255.7118 for updates as they occur.
6:02 PM - Emergency shelters open near the coast
Three emergency shelters have opened in South Carolina: one in Charleston, one in North Charleston, and another in Ridgeland.
5:30 PM - SC governor urges people to be cautious
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is urging residents in the state to be cautious and take heed of any warnings for the storm.
"The biggest variable is human reaction people failing to take the necessary precaution," McMaster said at a briefing at the state's emergency operations center Thursday.
Forecasters say the storm will bring dangerous storm surge along the coast, flooding some areas closest to the shore and other waterways. The state's emergency agency says they will move to 24 hour staffing starting Friday morning.
The South Carolina National Guard says it will have high water vehicles to rescue people from high waters. The SC Department of Transportation says the best idea is to stay off the roads unless you have to.
"Be careful, be smart, don't be a statistic," McMaster warned.
5 PM - Ian becomes a hurricane again
As of the 5 PM advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Ian became a hurricane again. It's a Category 1 with 75 mile an hour sustained winds. Forecasts still call for it to come ashore somewhere around the Charleston area Friday.
4:41 PM - Sumter City Offices closed
Due to the threat of inclement weather, all City of Sumter Administrative Offices will be closed on Friday, September 30,.
Additionally, all City sanitation services will be canceled on Friday. There will be no yard debris or cardboard pickup on Friday or Saturday. All Friday commercial and residential customers will have a makeup day on Saturday, October 1. All Friday customers please place your cans out by the curb by 7AM on Saturday for pickup service.
4:42 PM - DHEC opens 24/7 care line
Staff will be able to answer questions about health department services interrupted due to Hurricane Ian and general questions about Medical Needs Shelters.
4:33 PM - Orangeburg opens emergency shelter
An emergency shelter will open at City Gym, located at 410 Broughton Street from 8 a.m. Friday, September 30 until 8 a.m. Saturday October 1 for anyone needing relief from hazardous weather.
3:03 PM - Columbia City Office closed for Friday
City of Columbia facilities will be closed to the public on Friday, September 30, 2022. City employees will work remotely to ensure continuity of service delivery for non-essential functions on Friday. Public safety and other essential functions will operate as normal.
2 PM - Ian still a Tropical Storm
The 2 p.m. advisory has no change in wind strength for Ian. Still a strong tropical storm with 70 MPH winds.
1:20 PM - LRADAC to be closed all day Friday
LRADAC will be closed all day on Friday, September 30th for Outpatient Services, Withdrawal Management, Drug Screenings, and the ADSAP group scheduled for 5:30 pm (which will be rescheduled).
A decision regarding group meetings for Saturday, Oct. 1 will be made by Friday afternoon.
1:04 PM - Richland County Offices to Close Friday
Because of the potential of inclement weather with the approach of Tropical Storm Ian, Richland County facilities will be closed to the public Friday, Sept. 30.
Non-essential County personnel will work remotely. Residents can access many services on the County’s website: www.richlandcountysc.gov, including those by the Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor and other offices.
12:02 PM - Governor McMaster to make new briefing
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will speak live at the South Carolina Emergency Management Headquarters at 4 p.m. Eastern. WLTX will have live coverage both online and on-air.
11 AM - New warnings issued for South Carolina
As of the 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, a hurricane warning has been issued for the entire South Carolina coast. A tropical storm warning means that we could see sustained winds over 35 miles an hour.
