Tropical Storm Idalia

The clean-up process will take time and we appreciate your patience. 

• Use caution in the community and drive slowly as major roadway and debris clean-up is in progress and clean-up crews will be working in and along the roadway.

• Use extreme caution or avoid using the leisure trails and beach paths within Sea Pines until clean-up efforts can be completed.

• Some wildlife, such as alligators and snakes, are more likely to be displaced and seen after a storm. Be aware, keep your distance and give all wild animals space. Click here for more wildlife safety resources and reminders. To report a wildlife concern, please contact the Sea Pines Security Department dispatch line at 843.671.7170.

• To report downed trees/limbs in Sea Pines CSA managed open space areas, please contact the Sea Pines CSA Maintenance Department via email at csamaintenance@csaseapines.com. Please be reminded that CSA cannot remove trees from homes/ rooftops or trees that have fallen on private property. Property owners must contact a contractor/tree removal company to perform this service.

• At this time, please reserve calls to the Sea Pines CSA Maintenance Department for critical/emergency purposes only as staff are focusing on major cleanup priorities.

• Due to clean-up efforts throughout the community, Commercial work will be permitted in Sea Pines on:
• Sunday, September 3, 2023 from 10 AM – 5 PM
• Monday (Labor Day), September 4, 2023 from 9 AM – 5 PM

• Vegetative Storm Debris should be stacked at designated Sea Pines CSA roadside debris pickup sites. If the debris site is full, do not block roads, driveways, or create traffic visibility hazards. Do NOT place trash in debris pickup piles.

• DO NOT pile any storm debris in roadside ditches, block the pipe ends with debris in ditches, or stack on catch basins/inlets. Clear drainage ditches and catch basins play an important role in stormwater management and can help prevent road flooding in our community.

• Commercial landscapers are NOT permitted to dump landscaping debris in the neighborhood drop sites or roadside within Sea Pines. Landscape companies are directed to transport debris to the Debris Recycling Facility. Please note: This facility does not have the ability to process material in a diameter of 6 inches and above.

• The Debris Recycling Facility is typically open M-F 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, due to the large amount of storm debris, the facility will be open:
• Saturday, September 2: 7:30 AM – 4 PM
• Sunday, September 3: 10 AM-5 PM
• Monday, September 4: 9 AM- 5 PM
• This facility is located off of Greenwood Drive. Enter at the Trolley Station and approximately 25 yards to the left you will see the dirt driveway leading to the Debris Recycling Facility.

Sea Pines CSA Services & Closure Updates:

• Due to the overwhelming amounts of debris and cleanup, there will be service delays for Sea Pines CSA neighborhood debris collection and mulch deliveries. We appreciate your patience.

• At this time, The Sea Pines Forest Preserve and Six Oaks Cemetery and Park remain closed until clean up efforts can be completed.

• Tower Beach and its facilities have reopened as of 12:30 PM today, August 31.

• Sea Pines Trolley and Beach shuttle services have resumed operations as of 11:00 AM today, August 31.

Situation Overview:

At 8:00 PM, the center of Tropical Storm Idalia was located near latitude 32.7 North, longitude 80.9 West. Idalia is moving toward the northeast near 21 mph (33 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue through tonight. A generally eastward motion is forecast to begin on Thursday and continue through Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Idalia will move near or along the coast of South Carolina through tonight, and then just offshore of the coast of North Carolina on Thursday. Idalia will then move eastward over the western Atlantic into the weekend.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional weakening is forecast through tonight, but Idalia is expected to remain a tropical storm while it moves near the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km) from the center. A sustained wind of 39 mph (63 km/h) and a gust to 50 mph (80 km/h) were recently reported at Folly South End, South Carolina, near Charleston.

For the latest forecast please visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Idalia.

In an effort to keep you updated on Sea Pines CSA services and operations, please note the following items below:

• As the storm passes through our area, our property owners, guests and visitors are asked to remain indoors and to stay off of the roadways and leisure trails in Sea Pines.

• Some trees and debris are down throughout the community and trees and limbs are still coming down ahead of the storms arrival. (Pictured below: Sea Pines CSA Maintenance Staff responding to downed trees)

• Should stormwater inundation occur, please shelter in place until waters have receded.

• If you must travel tonight, avoid areas of standing water and downed trees across a roadway.

• Overnight tonight, 8/30, Sea Pines CSA will have crews from our Security and Maintenance Departments who will remain in Sea Pines through the storm.

• Once the storm has passed, our crews will work as quickly as possible to assess the community and begin debris clean up. Please stay off of the roadways, leisure trails, and boardwalks until those efforts can be completed.

• Stormwater System Update: In order to get ahead of the potential heavy rainfall, staff have placed large portable high-volume dewatering pumps in strategic locations throughout the community to assist in lowering lagoon levels. These pumps will remain running as long as it is safe for our staff to operate them throughout the storm. These pumps will also be used after the storm to assist in the removal of stormwater from the community.

• We continue to actively monitor the tidal control structures on our lagoon system to prevent as much tidal inflow as possible. We continue to actively manage the Lawton Canal pump station to move water out of the community.

• The Sea Pines entrance gates, security and our security dispatch phone line at 843-671-7170 and maintenance team are all operational at this time. These locations will remain staffed throughout the storm, unless storm conditions threaten the safety of staff. We will notify you in advance if these services need to be modified due to storm conditions.

Gate Access & Pass Sales:

• Currently, the entrance gate into Sea Pines at the Greenwood Gate has been reduced to one lane. We expect to resume normal gate operations as of tomorrow morning.

• The sale of all Sea Pines daily visitor gate passes was discontinued as of 11:00 AM today, August 30th. We will resume the sale of daily visitor gate passes tomorrow, Thursday (8/31) at 11:00 AM.

• Commercial Gate Pass sales will resume tomorrow, Thursday (8/31) at 7:00 AM. If you are in need of access for an emergency repair service tonight (8/30), please contact Sea Pines Security Dispatch at 843-671-7170 and provide the service provider’s name, date and time of arrival, and reason for service.

Sea Pines CSA Office/ Facility Updates

• The Welcome Center Guest Pass Office discontinued issuing Sea Pines Guest Passes from this location as of 11:00 AM today, August 30th. Property Owners needing a guest pass should contact the Sea Pines Security Dispatch office at 843-671-7170. The Welcome Center Guest Pass Office will resume operations at 11:00 AM tomorrow, Thursday (8/31).

• Sea Pines CSA Administration Office, Sea Pines ARB and the Sea Pines Community Center are closed today (8/30). These offices will resume operations at 11 AM tomorrow, Thursday (8/31).

• Access to Tower Beach and its facilities, The Sea Pines Forest Preserve, and Six Oaks are currently closed and will reopen once clean up efforts can be completed.

• Parking Lots along Power Line Easement:
• To continue to allow Santee Cooper unobstructed access to the major transformer lines in Sea Pines, please do not park vehicles in lot numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10.

Sea Pines Trolley Service

• The Sea Pines Trolley service for Thursday (8/31) is to be determined.

• A Hurricane Warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.
• A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.

Situation Overview:

At 2:00 PM, the center of Hurricane Idalia was located by Doppler radar near latitude 31.4 North, longitude 82.5 West. Idalia is moving toward the northeast near 20 mph (31 km/h). On the forecast track, the center of Idalia will continue moving across southeastern Georgia through this evening, near the coast of South Carolina tonight.

NOAA Doppler radar data indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Idalia is forecast to weaken further, but it could still produce hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, through this evening across portions of southeastern Georgia and southern South Carolina.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles (370 km).

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions:

Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. 2023 South Carolina Hurricane Guide

Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.

Please keep a close eye on the weather, as conditions can change quickly. For the latest forecast please visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Idalia.

In an effort to keep you updated on Sea Pines CSA services and operations, please note the following items below:

• The Sea Pines CSA Maintenance Department has made storm preparations and is prepared to respond to storm-related events.

• As the storm approaches, our property owners, guests and visitors are asked to remain indoors and to stay off of the roadways and leisure trails in Sea Pines.

• Some trees and debris are down throughout the community and trees and limbs are still coming down ahead of the storms arrival. (Pictured below: Sea Pines CSA Maintenance Staff responding to downed trees and branches)

• Should stormwater inundation occur, please shelter in place until waters have receded.

• If you must travel this afternoon through tonight, avoid areas of standing water and downed trees across a roadway.

• Overnight tonight, 8/30, Sea Pines CSA will have crews from our Security and Maintenance Departments who will remain in Sea Pines through the storm. Once the storm has passed, these crews will work as quickly as possible to access the community and begin debris clean up. Please stay off of the roadways, leisure trails, and boardwalks until those efforts can be completed.

• The entrance gate into Sea Pines at Greenwood Gate has been reduced to one lane.

• The Sea Pines Trolley service has been suspended for today (8/30). Depending on the severity of the storm, this service could remain suspended on Thursday (8/31).

• The Welcome Center Guest Pass Office has discontinued issuing Sea Pines Guest Passes from this location as of 11:00 AM today, August 30th. Property Owners needing a guest pass should contact the Sea Pines Security Dispatch office at 843-671-7170.

• The sale of all Sea Pines daily visitor gate passes was discontinued as of 11:00 AM today, August 30th. If you are in need of access for an emergency repair service, please contact Sea Pines Security Dispatch at 843-671-7170 and provide the service provider’s name, date and time of arrival, and reason for service.

• A Hurricane Warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.
• A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.

Situation Overview:

At 800 AM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Idalia was located by Tallahassee radar near latitude 29.9 North, longitude 83.5 West. Idalia is moving toward the north-northeast near 18 mph (30 km/h). A north-northeastward motion is expected through the morning, with Idalia’s center forecast to move into southern Georgia later today. Idalia is forecast to turn toward the northeast and east-northeast, moving near or along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina late today and Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are estimated near 120 mph (195 km/h) with higher gusts. Idalia is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Although Idalia will weaken further now that the center is inland, it is likely to still be a hurricane while moving across southern Georgia, and near the coast of Georgia or southern South Carolina late today. Idalia is forecast to be a tropical storm while moving near the coasts of northeastern South Carolina and North Carolina tonight and on Thursday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km).

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions:

Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. 2023 South Carolina Hurricane Guide

Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.

Please keep a close eye on the weather, as conditions can change quickly. For the latest forecast please visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Idalia.

If you have not done so already, please take this time to secure anything that may be impacted by tropical storm force winds. Secure outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and other lightweight items that are not tied down.

In an effort to keep you updated on Sea Pines CSA services and operations, please note the following items below:

NEW UPDATES

• The entrance gate into Sea Pines at Greenwood Gate has been reduced to one lane.

• The Sea Pines Trolley service has been suspended for today (8/30). Depending on the severity of the storm, this service could remain suspended on Thursday (8/31).

• The Welcome Center Guest Pass Office will discontinue issuing Sea Pines Guest Passes from this location as of 11:00 AM today, August 30th. Property Owners needing a guest pass should contact the Sea Pines Security Dispatch office at 843-671-7170.

• All Sea Pines daily visitor gate pass sales will be discontinued as of 11:00 AM today, August 30th. If you are in need of access for an emergency repair service, please contact Sea Pines Security Dispatch at 843-671-7170 and provide the service provider’s name, date and time of arrival, and reason for service.

Tropical Storm Watch, Storm Surge Watch & Flood Watch Issued for our Area

• A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours.
• A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours.
• A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Timing

The greatest impacts for southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina are expected to occur late Wednesday morning through early Thursday morning.

Hazards & Impacts

Details regarding the track, intensity, and timing of Idalia are still being refined. However, confidence in the following impacts is increasing:

• Heavy rainfall and flash flooding: 4-8 inches of rain possible across South East GA/SC.
• Strong, gusty winds: The probability of tropical storm force winds remains moderate to high, especially along the coast. Hurricane conditions remain possible across portions of the GA Atlantic waters.
• Storm surge/coastal flooding: based on the timing of the current forecast track, the Wednesday evening (~8:30 PM) high tide cycle could produce the highest water levels. Rip currents, high surf, and possibly significant beach erosion.
• Risk for tornadoes across the coastal counties of South East GA/SC Wednesday and Wednesday night.

Please keep a close eye on the weather, as conditions can change quickly. For the latest forecast please visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Idalia.

If you have not done so already, please take this time to secure anything that may be impacted by tropical storm force winds. Secure outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and other lightweight items that are not tied down.

Emergency Supply Kit

It is important to keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of your family for at least three days. Assemble a Family Emergency Kit with items you may need in an emergency or evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as suitcases, duffle bags or covered storage containers.

• Click here for South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s Checklist
• Click here to download the South Carolina Hurricane Guide