News Summary
Beaufort County, South Carolina is preparing for Hurricane Helene, which is expected to bring significant rainfall and flooding. Residents are warned of potential flash flooding and strong winds, with 4 to 6 inches of rain predicted. The National Weather Service has issued alerts for peak rainfall periods, and local authorities advise residents to stay vigilant. Additionally, the region is recovering from Hurricane Milton’s impacts, highlighting the ongoing risks of severe weather this hurricane season.
Beaufort County, South Carolina is bracing for significant rainfall and potential flooding as Hurricane Helene approaches the region. Forecasts indicate a high likelihood of heavy rain beginning Friday, with expected accumulations of 4 to 6 inches lasting through Monday, further exacerbated by strong wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings concerning flash flooding, particularly during peak rain periods anticipated from 2 PM to 5 PM on Saturday. As showers and thunderstorms are expected to commence before midnight into Friday, residents are advised to stay alert and prepare for severe weather conditions.
Currently, Beaufort County is dealing with residual effects from Hurricane Milton, which passed through on October 10, 2024, leaving two of the eight boats previously unmoored still beached. After Hurricane Helene’s impact, there could be an increased risk for marine hazards along the Lowcountry as conditions deteriorate.
As of August 11, 2025, the Atlantic hurricane season has seen the formation of four named storms—Andrea, Barry, Chantal, and Dexter. However, none have escalated to hurricane strength, as the historical patterns suggest that more intense weather activity typically occurs between mid-August and mid-October. Notably, September 10 is considered the peak day of the season, which officially ends on November 30.
Forecasters at Colorado State University (CSU) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate that this hurricane season is likely to be above-normal. CSU’s latest predictions suggest 17 named storms may form, with nine potentially escalating to hurricanes and four achieving major hurricane status. This forecast was revised downward by one storm in all categories from previous estimates.
For a storm to be classified as a named storm, it must achieve sustained winds of at least 39 mph, while winds must reach at least 74 mph for hurricane classification. Forecasters have assessed that there is about a one in four chance of a major hurricane making landfall on the East Coast and a one in three chance on the Gulf Coast this season.
The current forecasting models indicate a connection between global meteorological factors and hurricane activity. Rapid warming of ocean waters in the tropical Atlantic, coupled with the absence of El Niño in the Pacific—which generally suppresses storm formation—could lead to an uptick in storm occurrences. Additionally, increased shear winds in the Caribbean have limited storm organization but are expected to decline as August progresses, allowing for favorable conditions for hurricane development.
The Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) is also predicted to create conducive conditions for hurricane formation in the Atlantic over the next two weeks, further increasing the likelihood of storm activity.
In light of the severe weather threat, the National Weather Service has made advancements in its flood warning systems, implementing proactive measures to issue flash flood warnings more promptly in populated areas. This followed a recent tornado warning issued in Beaufort County on August 10, 2025, underscoring the heightened focus on the potential for extreme weather events in the region.
Residents of Beaufort County are urged to remain prepared as Hurricane Helene approaches, with the assurance of continued updates from local weather services and agencies. Monitoring local forecasts and adhering to safety protocols is essential in the days ahead.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beaufort County Faces Increased Flooding Risks Amid Funding Cuts
Port Royal Celebrates Third Anniversary of Sea Sea’s Honey Hole
Significant Flooding Crisis in Beaufort Area Due to Tropical Storm Debby
Captain Arrested for Seeking Shelter During Storm
Beaufort and Jasper Counties Urge Hurricane Preparedness
Flood Advisory Lifted in Beaufort County Post-Tropical Storm Debby
Beaufort County Council Approves New Budget Allocation
Emergency Preparedness in Beaufort and Jasper Counties Ahead of Winter Storm
Duke Energy Appoints Tim Pearson as South Carolina State President
Duke Energy Proposes New Natural Gas Power Plant in South Carolina
Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Hurricane Helene Approaches Beaufort County
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Season
- WJCL: Weather Impact with Showers and Thunderstorms
- Google Search: Beaufort Weather Update
- Travel and Tour World: Storms in Greece
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane
- ABC News 4: Tropical Storm Watches
- Google News: Hurricane Helene
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
