Charleston Reporter

The City of Charleston has activated Mayor Cogswell’s Active Flood Mitigation Plan in anticipation of significant tidal flooding from Hurricane Milton. The National Weather Service in Charleston warns that the hurricane's high northeast winds, storm surge, and an expected 8.0-foot-high tide on Thursday at 1:50 p.m. could lead to major flooding. Additional high tides on Friday at 2:08 a.m. and 2:57 p.m. also pose a flood risk.

Residents are advised to stay informed through official forecasts, as changes in the hurricane's path could alter conditions. Officials stress the importance of clearing storm drains to prevent debris buildup and reduce road flooding.

To mitigate potential damage, city parking garages will be open for free from Thursday at 9:00 a.m. until Friday at 8:30 a.m., subject to change. Residents are encouraged to relocate their vehicles to these higher ground locations:

- Aquarium parking garage (24 Calhoun Street)

- Visitor Center parking garage (63 Mary Street)

- 99 WestEdge parking garage (99 West Edge Street)

- Charleston Tech Center parking garage (997 Morrison Drive)

- East Bay/Prioleau parking garage (25 Prioleau Street)

For free parking access, residents must press the call button upon exiting and inform the operator they are using the free storm parking.

Sandbag distribution is scheduled for October 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a limit of ten bags per residence enforced at these sites:

- Bee’s Landing Recreation Center (1580 Ashley Gardens Blvd, West Ashley)

- Hampton Park, Mary Murray Dr. at Ashley Ave., Parking Lot by Ball Fields (Peninsula)

Preparations continue with street sweeping to clear debris and ensure storm drains remain unobstructed. The Charleston Police and Fire Departments will deploy all available staff starting Thursday for enhanced response efforts. Barricades will be placed ahead of high tides, while high-water vehicles and essential resources will be mobilized.

Water levels have been lowered at Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer, with temporary pumps installed in vulnerable areas.

Residents should stay informed via local media and follow updates on the City of Charleston's official social media channels or sign up for newsletters for ongoing information about Hurricane Milton's impact.

City officials promise regular updates from the National Weather Service regarding the storm’s progression and local impacts.