Flash Flooding and Coastal Flood in South Carolina, December 2, 2009

Name: Flash Flooding and Coastal Flood in South Carolina, December 2, 2009
Start: 2009-12-02T06:36
End: 2009-12-02T21:30
Location: South Carolina

December 2, 2009 · NWS CHS · 19 events in 5 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $16,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 19

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS CHS wrote it up.

A strong surface low developed over the northern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday morning and intensified as it shifted northeast over South Carolina. As this process occurred, strong onshore flow allowed deep moisture to advect over the Southeast within the warm sector of the low pressure system. Strong onshore winds in combination with a morning high tide led to coastal flooding along the South Carolina coast through 730 am. Strong isentropic ascent ahead of the surface low then led to heavy shower development over South Carolina shortly after 730 am. At this time, all flooding reported was due to heavy rainfall over the area. A cold front then swept through the southeast Wednesday evening which helped produce several strong thunderstorms through early Wednesday night.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 2, 4:31 AM EST, 2 hours 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 2, 4:31 AM EST, 2 hours 5 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 2, 4:55 AM EST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
455 AM EST WED DEC 2 2009

GAZ087-088-099>101-114>116-118-137-138-140-SCZ040-042>044-047-031000-
JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS-
INLAND BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-LONG-INLAND LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-
ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-DORCHESTER-INLAND JASPER-
455 AM EST WED DEC 2 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND
SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A POTENT STORM SYSTEM WILL RACE FROM THE
GULF COAST REGION THIS MORNING TO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS EVENING.
A WARM AND MOIST AIR MASS IN TANDEM WITH STRONG WIND FIELDS WILL
BUILD INTO THE REGION AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHING THE
AREA LATE TODAY AND TONIGHT. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. THE MAIN HAZARDS FROM ANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
APPEAR TO BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS...TORNADOES...AND
MARGINALLY SEVERE HAIL.

THE MAIN TIME FRAME FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE FROM 2 PM TO
MIDNIGHT. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO
ORGANIZE DURING THIS TIME AS THE RISK OF DAMAGING WINDS AND
TORNADOES SHIFT TO THE COAST THIS EVENING.

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. STAY TUNED TO NOAA
WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

SCZ045-031000-
BERKELEY-
455 AM EST WED DEC 2 2009

...LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO NOON EST THURSDAY
FOR LAKE MOULTRIE...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   LAKE WIND ADVISORY.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A POTENT STORM SYSTEM WILL RACE FROM THE
GULF COAST REGION THIS MORNING TO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS EVENING.
A WARM AND MOIST AIR MASS IN TANDEM WITH STRONG WIND FIELDS WILL
BUILD INTO THE REGION AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHING THE
AREA LATE TODAY AND TONIGHT. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. THE MAIN HAZARDS FROM ANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
APPEAR TO BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS...TORNADOES...AND
MARGINALLY SEVERE HAIL.

THE MAIN TIME FRAME FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE FROM 2 PM TO
MIDNIGHT. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO
ORGANIZE DURING THIS TIME AS THE RISK OF DAMAGING WINDS AND
TORNADOES SHIFT TO THE COAST THIS EVENING.

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. STAY TUNED TO NOAA
WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   LAKE WIND ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

GAZ117-119-139-141-SCZ048>051-031000-
COASTAL BRYAN-COASTAL CHATHAM-COASTAL LIBERTY-COASTAL MCINTOSH-
BEAUFORT-COASTAL COLLETON-CHARLESTON-COASTAL JASPER-
455 AM EST WED DEC 2 2009

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM EST THIS MORNING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST THURSDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND
SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.
   HIGH SURF ADVISORY.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A POTENT STORM SYSTEM WILL RACE FROM THE
GULF COAST REGION THIS MORNING TO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS EVENING.
A WARM AND MOIST AIR MASS IN TANDEM WITH STRONG WIND FIELDS WILL
BUILD INTO THE REGION AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHING THE
AREA LATE TODAY AND TONIGHT. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. THE MAIN HAZARDS FROM ANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
APPEAR TO BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS...TORNADOES...AND
MARGINALLY SEVERE HAIL.

THE MAIN TIME FRAME FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE FROM 2 PM TO
MIDNIGHT. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO
ORGANIZE DURING THIS TIME AS THE RISK OF DAMAGING WINDS AND
TORNADOES SHIFT TO THE COAST THIS EVENING.

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. STAY TUNED TO NOAA
WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON.

STRONG WINDS...STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING...AND A WIND ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED FOR
PORTIONS OF THE AREA LATE TODAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

AMZ350-352-374-031000-
WATERS FROM SOUTH SANTEE RIVER TO EDISTO BEACH SC OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM EDISTO BEACH SC TO SAVANNAH GA OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA EXTENDING FROM 20 TO
60 NM-
455 AM EST WED DEC 2 2009

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 5 AM EST THURSDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   GALE WARNING.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A POTENT STORM SYSTEM WILL RACE FROM THE
GULF COAST REGION THIS MORNING TO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS EVENING.
A WARM AND MOIST AIR MASS IN TANDEM WITH STRONG WIND FIELDS WILL
BUILD INTO THE REGION AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHING THE
AREA LATE TODAY AND TONIGHT. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE COASTAL WATERS. THE MAIN HAZARDS
FROM ANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS APPEAR TO BE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN
EXCESS OF 50 KNOTS. THE MAIN TIME FRAME FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL
BE FROM 5 PM TO MIDNIGHT.

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. STAY TUNED TO NOAA
WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

AMZ330-354-031000-
CHARLESTON HARBOR-
WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA OUT 20 NM...INCLUDING
GRAYS REEF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY-
455 AM EST WED DEC 2 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A POTENT STORM SYSTEM WILL RACE FROM THE
GULF COAST REGION THIS MORNING TO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS EVENING.
A WARM AND MOIST AIR MASS IN TANDEM WITH STRONG WIND FIELDS WILL
BUILD INTO THE REGION AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHING THE
AREA LATE TODAY AND TONIGHT. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE COASTAL WATERS. THE MAIN HAZARDS
FROM ANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS APPEAR TO BE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN
EXCESS OF 50 KNOTS. THE MAIN TIME FRAME FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL
BE FROM 5 PM TO MIDNIGHT.

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. STAY TUNED TO NOAA
WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR THE
LATEST SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

The radar

The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 104 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:43 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 flash flood, 6 thunderstorm wind, 2 strong wind, 1 coastal flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Coastal Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 6:36 AM EST to 7:44 AM EST
Where: Charleston forecast zone
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported knee deep water completely over Bee Street in downtown Charleston.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 7:45 AM EST to 9:15 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.58 mi W of Charleston to 0.35 mi SW of Charleston
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.780, -79.940

Law enforcement reported 10 to 15 automobiles stalled in downtown Charleston due to flooding. At least 1 automobile had water flowing into its doors.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 7:45 AM EST to 9:15 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.33 mi SSE of Citadel to 0.34 mi SSE of Citadel
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.796, -79.947

Law enforcement reported a road closure due to flooding at Fishburne Street and Coming Street.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 7:45 AM EST to 9:15 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.91 mi NW of Charleston to 0.89 mi NW of Charleston
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.788, -79.942

Law enforcement reported a road closure due to flooding along at Radcliffe Street and Coming Street.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 7:45 AM EST to 9:15 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.94 mi WNW of Charleston to 0.99 mi WNW of Charleston
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.783, -79.946

Law enforcement reported a road closure due to flooding at Calhoun street and Ashley Avenue in downtown Charleston.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 7:45 AM EST to 9:15 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.77 mi SSW of Citadel to 0.33 mi S of Citadel
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.789, -79.953

Law enforcement reported a road closure due to flooding along Crosstown in downtown Charleston.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 7:45 AM EST to 9:15 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.04 mi NNE of Citadel to 0.17 mi ESE of Citadel
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.801, -79.950

Law enforcement reported a road closure due to flooding at King Street and Huger Street.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 7:45 AM EST to 9:15 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.59 mi SSW of Citadel to 0.52 mi SSW of Citadel
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.792, -79.954

Law enforcement reported a road closure due to flooding at Fishburne Street and President Street in downtown Charleston.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 8:15 AM EST to 9:30 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 1.25 mi NNW of Snowden to 0.97 mi N of Snowden
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 32.846, -79.840

A National Weather Service employee reported portions of Long Point Road closed due to heavy rain.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 8:27 AM EST to 9:30 AM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.34 mi SE of Charleston Hgts to 0.52 mi SE of Charleston Hgts
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.846, -79.966

North Charleston Police reported Carner Avenue closed due to flash flooding between Jacksonville Road and Spruill Avenue.

Strong Wind, Beaufort

When: December 2, 6:00 PM EST to 6:01 PM EST
Where: Beaufort forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Public

The public reported that strong winds snapped off the top third of a pine tree 5 miles southwest of Beaufort, South Carolina.

Strong Wind, Northern Colleton

When: December 2, 7:05 PM EST to 7:06 PM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Law enforcement reported one tree down due to strong winds along Peurifoy Road 2 miles southeast of Walterboro, South Carolina.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkeley

When: December 2, 7:20 PM EST to 7:21 PM EST
Where: Berkeley County, 0.69 mi S of The Barrows
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.120, -80.070

Law enforcement reported one tree down along the intersection of Emmett Land and 17 A.

Thunderstorm Wind, Charleston

When: December 2, 8:01 PM EST to 8:02 PM EST
Where: Charleston County, 1.88 mi WNW of Parkers Ferry
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 32.760, -80.430

A National Weather Service employee reported one tree down along the west side of U.S. Route 17.

Thunderstorm Wind, Charleston

When: December 2, 8:10 PM EST to 8:11 PM EST
Where: Charleston County, 0.9 mi SW of Lincolnville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 33.010, -80.160

Broadcast media reported one tree down off Bell Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dorchester

When: December 2, 8:10 PM EST to 8:11 PM EST
Where: Dorchester County, Summerville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.020, -80.180

A trained spotter estimated a 60 mile per hour wind gust on Dorchester Road near the Oakbrook Shopping Center.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkeley

When: December 2, 8:19 PM EST to 8:20 PM EST
Where: Berkeley County, 0.9 mi NW of Kittridge Xrds
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 33.080, -79.990

Broadcast media reported a tree down on Highway 52 near the Strawberry community.

Flash Flood, Charleston

When: December 2, 8:30 PM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Charleston County, 1.09 mi ESE of Midland Park to 1.2 mi E of Midland Park
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 32.914, -80.013

A fire department reported roads block off by standing water along Brookside Drive and Smithfield Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkeley

When: December 2, 8:40 PM EST to 8:41 PM EST
Where: Berkeley County, 2.15 mi SSW of Inness
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 32.950, -80.010

Fire department reported one tree down on Foster Creek Road.

What these are

Coastal Flood: Flooding of coastal land by the sea, from storm surge, onshore wind or high tides.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in South Carolina in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history Warnings in South Carolina, December 2009

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 206196, 205352, 206149, 206150, 206151, 206152, 206153, 206154, 206155, 205356, 206385, 206393, 206228, 206241, 206242, 206245, 206232, 206397, 206236.