Hurricane Helene could bring tornado threat to South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A tropical storm warning is active for the entire state of South Carolina ahead of Hurricane Helene’s potential impacts this week.

Helene, which entered the southern Gulf of Mexico as a category 1 hurricane Wednesday morning, is forecast to become a large major hurricane before reaching Florida’s Big Bend region on Thursday.

The storm will move north after landfall. The National Hurricane Center said the size and strength of Helene will result in wind, rain, and isolated tornadoes well away from the center and outside the forecast cone.

For the Charleston area, wind could range between 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph.

1-3 inches of rainfall is expected with locally higher amounts, along with coastal flooding.

There is also a risk of isolated tornadoes.

The greatest local impacts would be Thursday night into early Friday morning.