Hurricane Ian Makes Second U.S. Landfall In South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Hurricane Ian, which regained its status after being downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday, made a second U.S landfall on the South Carolina coast somewhere near Georgetown Friday afternoon.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Ian made landfall at 2:05 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph.

Ian weakened after tearing through parts of Florida, but reached Category 1 hurricane status after returning to the Atlantic Ocean. In Florida, Ian has caused catastrophic damage and officials are still trying to determine how many people may have been killed by the destructive storm. Millions were left without power and hundreds rescued.

“If you haven’t yet made plans for every contingency, this afternoon is the time to do so,” Gov. Henry McMaster said Thursday in a news release. “We can expect to experience a lot of rain throughout the state along with dangerous storm surge in low-lying coastal areas. With the potential for hurricane force winds along our coast, it’s important for South Carolinians to plan now."

>>>See full coverage of Hurricane Ian.

Emergency management officials warned that while South Carolina might not see the full force of Ian the way Florida did, high winds, rain, flash flooding and even tornadoes are possible. Residents in low-lying areas were cautioned to have a plan in place to move to higher ground.

Hurricane warnings are in effect for portions of the South Carolina coast. The National Hurricane Center says considerable flooding is expected across coastal and northeast South Carolina Friday.

"Ian’s structure is similar to that of a powerful nor’easter, with most of the storm’s rain and wind focused to the north and west of the center," Dan Kottlowski, a hurricane expert with AccuWeather, said. "But, make no mistake, Ian will hit with the force of a hurricane in the Carolinas, especially along the upper half of the South Carolina coast."

Beaufort, Charleston, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Dorchester, Hampton, inland Berkeley, inland Colleton, inland Jasper and Tidal Berkeley are all under a flood watch through midnight, Saturday.

Storm surge, flooding rains and tropical storm force winds are concerns for the coast, according to the National Weather Service.

Hurricane-force wind gusts could occur along the lower South Carolina coast, including Charleston Harbor, according to the weather service.

Ian is forecast to weaken and move into inland North Carolina from South Carolina, according to the weather service.

AccuWeather reported parts of the North Carolina coast were under a hurricane warning Thursday.

According to the National Hurricane Center, flooding is possible in parts of North Carolina and southern Virginia through Friday.

Emergency management officials in South Carolina shared tips for storm preparations.