Flash Flood Warning For Charleston And West Ashley: Tourists Face Rising Waters In Dangerous Weather!

Published on September 8, 2025

On nan evening of seventh September, 2025, a Flash Flood Warning was activated by nan Charleston SC office of nan National Weather Service (NWS), covering nan metropolis of Charleston, West Ashley, and adjacent communities. Radar imagery has confirmed nan beingness of vigorous thunderstorms moving slow crossed nan area, unleashing torrential downpours, specifically, rainfall rates that could full four inches wrong a very short span. Wells and ditches successful West Ashley, Johns Island, and James Island are already strained. Anyone successful these zones, and particularly connected low-lying trails, streets, and bridges, must enactment quickly: activity higher ground, debar travel, and show battery-powered upwind alerts.

The warning, which was primitively issued astatine 4:59 PM EDT, is expected to stay successful effect until 7:15 PM EDT, though nan consequence for further flooding will persist. As nan upwind strategy weakens, further rainfall betwixt 1 to 2 inches is expected. Due to nan quality of these storms, low-lying and poorly drained areas, including parts of Charleston’s metropolis centre, are peculiarly susceptible to flooding.

Areas astatine Risk

Residents and visitors successful nan pursuing regions are advised to enactment vigilant:

• West Ashley
• Johns Island
• James Island
• North Charleston
• Hanahan
• Hollywood
• Ravenel
• Meggett
• I-26/I-526 Interchange

Additionally, awesome highways specified arsenic I-26 (between mile markers 210 and 220) and I-526 (between mile markers 11 and 22) person been identified arsenic cardinal locations for imaginable flooding, perchance disrupting postulation flow.

Threat to Church Creek

One of nan superior concerns highlighted by nan NWS is nan steadily rising h2o levels successful Church Creek, located successful West Ashley. The National Weather Service has warned that h2o levels are astatine consequence of surpassing nan insignificant flood shape of 5.5 feet. Tourists staying adjacent this area should intimately show h2o levels and return precautionary measures successful nan coming hours.

Tourist Areas That May Be Affected

The pursuing cardinal tourer destinations successful Charleston could acquisition impacts from nan ongoing flooding:

1. Historic Charleston – Known for its charming streets and vibrant culture, but susceptible to flooding, particularly on waterfront areas.
2. Charleston Waterfront Park – A celebrated spot for tourists, particularly during sunset, pinch its proximity to nan h2o expanding nan consequence of flooding.
3. Folly Beach – As an island, it is peculiarly susceptible to some flash floods and coastal flooding during aggravated rainfall.
4. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens – Located successful West Ashley, visitors present whitethorn request to workout be aware arsenic rainwater could impact nan grounds and stepping paths.
5. Charleston City Market – A awesome shopping destination successful Charleston that could look disruptions owed to nan rising h2o levels successful adjacent streets and underpasses.
6. Angel Oak Tree – Situated successful Angel Oak Park connected Johns Island, it whitethorn beryllium harder for visitors to entree nan area if flooding impacts nan roads starring to nan park.
7. Middleton Place – Another celebrated plantation tract could beryllium affected by rising creek water, perchance making entree difficult for visitors.

Safety Measures for Tourists

In ray of nan flash flood warning, visitors are encouraged to return respective information precautions to protect themselves and their property. The NWS advises nan pursuing measures:

• Avoid Flooded Areas: Tourists are urged to enactment distant from low-lying areas, particularly adjacent rivers, creeks, and flood-prone roads. Floodwaters tin emergence quickly, creating vulnerable conditions.
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown: As galore flood deaths hap successful vehicles, visitors and locals are advised to debar driving done flooded roads. The National Weather Service has emphasised nan value of turning astir erstwhile encountering flooded streets.
• Monitor Local Weather Reports: Visitors should enactment informed by checking upwind updates done nan National Weather Service and section news outlets for nan latest developments successful nan large wind and flood risks.
• Follow Evacuation Orders: If authorities rumor an removal order, visitors should comply immediately. Avoid delays and move to higher crushed if possible.
• Be Prepared to Take Action: Have an emergency scheme successful place. Ensure that everyone successful your statement knows wherever to spell and what to do successful lawsuit conditions worsen.

Advice for Tourists Near High-Risk Areas

For visitors staying adjacent flood-prone areas, nan NWS recommends taking contiguous action to protect some themselves and their possessions. Visitors successful areas specified arsenic West Ashley and Johns Island should cheque flood maps and enactment successful elevated areas if possible. It is important to enactment indoors during nan storm, particularly arsenic conditions whitethorn deteriorate quickly.

Bottom Line

As rainfall falls and nan anticipation of flash flooding lingers complete Charleston, West Ashley, and adjacent areas, travelers ought to enactment alert. The National Weather Service’s bulletin and climbing h2o levels successful creeks, Church Creek successful peculiar underscore nan dangers storms for illustration these tin create.

Even arsenic nan strategy weakens and nan flood threat gradually recedes, guests must support caution. Following nationalist advisories and search timely updates will let some sightseers and residents to move done these circumstances pinch arsenic small consequence arsenic possible. The National Weather Service encourages reporting immoderate caller flooding aliases different different upwind sightings to nan Charleston agency for ongoing support.