Tropical Storm — Candler, Georgia

2018-10-10 to 2018-10-11 · Candler, Georgia

Event narrative

The media reported a tree down near Metter.

Wider weather episode

Michael first developed into a tropical depression early on October, 7th approximately 90 miles east of Chetumal, Mexico before gradually strengthening to a tropical storm by the afternoon while tracking north off the Yucatan Peninsula coast. Michael then continued to strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane while tracking north just off the western Cuba coast on October, 8th before gaining latitude and rapidly intensifying to a high-end Category 3 hurricane in the Gulf Of Mexico on October 9th. The major hurricane continued to track north, then north-northeast early on October 10th, strengthening to a high-end Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph and a minimum central pressure of 919 mb while making landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida at 2 PM EDT. Michael then weakened while moving inland, but maintained hurricane strength for approximately 10 hours while heading northeast over the Florida Peninsula and south central Georgia. Michael then maintained tropical storm strength October 11th, tracking northeast over central Georgia and the central Carolinas, before eventually shifting off the southern Virginia coast and transitioning into an extratropical cyclone over the Western Atlantic on October 12th. Minimum surface pressures of 999.3 mb at Savannah International Airport (KSAV), 1000.3 mb at Charleston International Airport (KCHS), 995.6 mb at Statesboro, GA (KTBR) and 994.2 mb at Allendale County Airport, SC were recorded as the center of Michael passed inland.

Across southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina, the main impacts from Michael included wind damage in the form of isolated to scattered trees and power lines blown down, heavy rainfall and minor levels of storm surge. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities across the area.

Storm total rainfall amounts generally ranged from 1.0 to 3.5 inches across the area. A peak storm total rainfall of 3.65 inches was recorded at Jamestown, SC while a peak storm total rainfall of 3.56 inches was recorded at Fort Stewart, GA. Heavy rains also led the Santee River at Jamestown, SC to reach minor flood stage on October 12th.

Wind damage, mainly in the form of downed trees, produced numerous power outages and damage to a few homes as well as automobiles. On October 11th, a maximum sustained wind of 43 mph occurred at the Folly Beach Pier in South Carolina and at Tybee Island South in Georgia. A maximum sustained wind of 42 kt also occurred at Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor. A maximum wind gust of 57 mph occurred at Isle of Palms and the Folly Beach Pier in South Carolina and at Tybee Island South in Georgia. A maximum wind gust of 53 kt also occurred at the Capers Nearshore Buoy in nearshore waters.

Storm Surge was minor along the beaches, but isolated damage was reported to a dock along the Charleston County coast. A peak surge of 2.29 ft occurred at the Fort Pulaski tide gauge at 154 AM October 11th while a peak surge of 2.07 ft occurred at the Charleston Harbor tide gauge at 212 AM October 11th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 791301. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.