COLUMBIA, S.C. — Just over a week after Hurricane Helene made its impact across much of the Carolinas, another major hurricane is expected to make landfall in the Southeastern United States. According to the National Hurricane Center, a major hurricane is at least a Category 3 storm, which has winds starting at 111 mph and can cause "devastating damage."
The National Hurricane Center's Sunday afternoon update showed that Milton had increased to a Category 1 hurricane. The latest forecast track shows that Milton will move east through the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall on the western Florida coast. By midweek, Milton could strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane.
Impacts to the Midlands
A strong cold front will keep Hurricane Milton to our south, along with most of the system's impacts. Rainfall from Hurricane Milton is not expected in the Midlands, and our area will stay dry and sunny for most of next week. South Carolina could see breezy conditions midweek, but damaging winds are not expected.
The higher concern for South Carolina is the rip current risk along the coast. With Milton forecast to move just off the SC coast, there is a high chance for rip currents. This could result in dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions for beachgoers this week.
The National Weather Service says you should stay calm and yell for help if caught in a rip current. Don't try to swim directly to shore. Swim parallel to the shoreline until you can escape the current's pull. When free from the current's pull, swim at an angle away from the current toward shore.
