Winds Could Close Bridges

If winds push beyond 40 mph today, the county and law enforcement may ask the public to avoid local bridges, including the Ravenel Bridge over the Cooper River.

Today's forecast, however, only calls for sustained speeds of up to 34 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston. Windy and rainy conditions are expected into the evening hours as Hurricane Irene churns off the South Carolina coast. On Folly Beach, winds gusted as high as 55 mph around 10 a.m. this morning.

When "sustained wind speeds have reached 40 mph, the media will be asked to put out a message to the public that high span bridges (35 feet or higher) are unsafe for public travel," according to county emergency protocal.

At that time, law enforcement won't be on the bridges, according to the policy, but the public would cross the bridges at "their own risk." The county will alert the media and post signs near the bridges if this occurs.

No such warning had been release today, and since the forecast called for wind speeds below that threshold, a closure isn't likely, but winds may gust as high as 45 mph today.

Police are monitoring both bridges and roads in low-lying areas to determine if closures are necessary, said Mount Pleasant police spokesman Capt. Stan Gragg.

"The Mount Pleasant Police Department is constantly monitoring the conditions being caused by Hurricane Irene," Gragg wrote in a morning advisory. "As a result of this weather event, patrols have been increased in the low lying flood prone areas as well as those affected by high winds such as the Ravenel and Wando Bridges."

No bridges or roads were closed as of noon Friday. 

High span bridges (35 feet high or higher) in Charleston County:

• Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge

Hwy 17 in both directions between Mt. Pleasant and downtown Charleston

• Don Holt Bridge

I-526 over the Cooper River between North Charleston and Daniel Island

• Cosgrove Bridge (the “North Bridge”)
• Isle of Palms Connector
• James Island Connector
• Limehouse Bridge
• McKinley Washington Bridge (the “Edisto Bridge”)

Hwy 174 over the Edisto River near Edisto Island

• Stono Bridge (need to verify with DOT that this should be listed here)

Over Maybank Highway connecting James Island to Johns Island

• Wando River Bridge

I-526 over the Wando River in Mt. Pleasant

• Wappoo Bridge
• Westmoreland Bridge

I-526 over the Ashley River between North Charleston and West Ashley