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Tropical Storm Idalia moved into South Carolina on Wednesday night after making landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast as a powerful Category 3 hurricane earlier in the day. While the storm had weakened as it moved across Florida and through Georgia, entering South Carolina with maximum sustained wind speeds of around 60 mph, it was still bringing heavy flooding to the coast of the Palmetto State. It later moved on to North Carolina.

A storm surge warning was in effect for the Savannah River, on the border of Georgia and South Carolina, up north to the South Santee River in South Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday night.

Along South Carolina's coast, North Myrtle Beach, Garden City, and Edisto Island all reported ocean water flowing over sand dunes and spilling onto beachfront streets Wednesday evening. In Charleston, storm surge from Idalia topped the seawall that protects the downtown, sending ankle-deep ocean water into the streets and neighborhoods where horse-drawn carriages pass million-dollar homes and the famous open-air market.

Emily Johnson of CBS affiliate WCSC-TV posted video of water coming over the seawall along the Battery, an area at the southern tip of the portion of Charelston that extends into the harbor.

Video posted to social media by Kathleen Culler showed two men walking through knee-deep water in what appeared to be a parking lot along the Ashley River.

Police in Isle of Palms, a small town on a barrier island to the east of Charleston, posted a video on social media showing "deep standing water" on one of the island's major roadways.

Preliminary data showed the Wednesday evening high tide reached just over 9.2 feet, more than 3 feet above normal and the fifth-highest reading in Charleston Harbor since records were first kept in 1899.

Idalia also spawned a tornado that briefly touched down in the Charleston, South Carolina, suburb of Goose Creek, the National Weather Service said. The winds sent a car flying and flipped it over, according to authorities and eyewitness video. Two people received minor injuries.

Charleston, SC is a city that blends history, culture, and Southern hospitality. Nestled along the coast of the U.S, Charleston boasts a rich heritage dating back to 1670, making the city one of the oldest in the United States. From its historic background to its cobblestone streets, Charleston, SC offers a journey through time for travelers to experience any time of the year and gives a glimpse into a difficult time in our country’s history.

For those interested in embarking on an adventure through the town’s rich history, visiting historic homes and grand plantations offers an educational and reflective way to experience it. For those looking to experience Charleston’s culinary scene, whether it’s eating Lowcountry cuisine like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and fried green tomatoes, to name a few, there are a myriad of options for an enriching experience.

Not to mention, Charleston is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and live music venues to experience. With its warm climate, Charleston invites outdoor enthusiasts to explore beautiful parks, go boating on its rivers, or take a scenic drive along the historic plantations.

If you’ve been thinking about exploring Charleston, SC, look no further. Ahead we discuss all of the best places to stay the next time you make the trip.

Historic Downtown Charleston

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The heart of the historic district will immerse you in the city’s charm. From finding unique boutique hotels, charming bed and breakfasts, and luxury accommodations in this area. For the ultimate experience, consider The Battery Carriage House Inn for a historic experience or The Dewberry Charleston for a more upscale stay.

French Quarter

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A part of the historic district, the French Quarter is known for its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and waterfront views. The French Quarter Inn is a highly-rated boutique hotel that’s fairly popular in this neighborhood.

Charleston Waterfront

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For visitors who enjoy waterfront views, consider staying along the Charleston Harbor. The HarbourView Inn offers stunning views and easy access to Waterfront Park.

Mount Pleasant

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Located across the Cooper River from downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant offers a quiet experience with beautiful scenery. There are numerous hotels and vacation rentals here, and it’s a great option if you prefer a slightly more suburban feel while still being close to the city. The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina is a one-of-a-kind waterfront hotel that offers stunning views of Charleston Harbor and is a short drive from downtown Charleston.

West Ashley

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West Ashley is another option for more affordable accommodations. Known for its mix of suburban and urban living, this area offers trendy options for those wanting to stay in the know of Charleston life. Holiday Inn Express Charleston is conveniently located near the I-526 interchange and offers great amenities including a fitness center and outdoor pool.

Folly Beach

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For those who prefer a beachfront experience, Folly Beach is about a 20-25-minute drive from downtown Charleston and is a great option for a relaxed and laid-back stay. The Water’s Edge Inn is just a short walk from the beach and offers cozy rooms with a laid-back atmosphere. It’s known for its friendly staff and proximity to Center Street, where you’ll find a myriad of shops and restaurants.

North Charleston

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If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options or proximity to the airport, North Charleston has various hotels that are high quality and budget-friendly. Moreover, the area offers historic sites and amazing views of wildlife. As a potential place to stay, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel North Charleston Convention Center is close to the North Charleston Coliseum and Charleston International Airport and features comfortable rooms, an on-site restaurant, and an outdoor pool.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - With the sea level expected to rise 14 inches by 2050, the City of Charleston is formulating a plan to prevent catastrophic flooding on the peninsula.

The City of Charleston’s Chief Resilience Officer Dale Morris said the flooding the city experienced during Idalia could happen several times a month in 20 to 25 years.

“If we anticipate those kinds of events occurring three, four, five times a month in the future, we better do something about it now or we’re going to lose a large portion of the peninsula,” Morris said.

Morris said the city is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to build an elevated edge around the peninsula, stretching from Wagener Terrace to just North of the Ravenel Bridge.

He said it would be around the same height as the current High Battery, with a deck at around 10 feet of land elevation.

The projected cost of the project is $1.3 billion, but Morris said the Federal Government would cover around 65% of that.

“So, should we try to move forward with this project and see if we can make it work or do we just accept this as occurring?” Morris said. “We know what’s going to happen, we have to prepare for it because it takes so long.”

Right now, the city is negotiating a design agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers that’s expected to take an additional one to three months. From there, Morris said the agreement will go to the City Council and up the chain of command for the Army Corps of Engineers.

If all goes as planned, the city could start the design phase next spring. Morris said the first phase of design for the West side of the peninsula could take up to two years before heading back to City Council for approval.

It’s not only city officials that are concerned about the impacts of rising sea levels.

The General Manager of The Establishment on Broad Street, Brian Jarusik, said the flooding from Wednesday’s storm is not sustainable for the long term because of how badly it impacted business.

“I can firmly say something needs to be done in the positive, what that is, we defer to the experts on that one,” Jarusik said. “If this is something we’re going to see moving forward, we will be financially hit with that.”

It’s not only economic impacts that have residents concerned.

“This great history living on the water won’t be there to be appreciated in the future,” Brian Starks, a peninsula resident said.

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Now that Tropical Storm Idalia is out of the Lowcountry, people are focusing on the Labor Day weekend, which for some involves travel plans.

But those hitting the road can expect higher prices at the pump with South Carolina ranking in the top 10 in the country for the highest gas prices, according to AAA.

Despite the storm, AAA says, based on their bookings, travel is up 4% domestically and 44% internationally.

Charleston International Airport’s control tower reopened Thursday morning after a brief closure that began Wednesday night. Pilots connected to an airport traffic control tower in Jacksonville during the Charleston airport’s tower closure when that was necessary.

Ahead of the storm, gas prices went up eight cents in the last week. For the Labor Day holiday weekend, gas will cost about the same as last year or possibly a few cents more.

AAA advises drivers to make sure their tires, windshield wipers, and battery are in the best condition. In Carolinas alone, AAA expects they will assist between 10,000 to 15,000 stranded motorists during the holiday.

AAA Public Affairs Director Tiffany Wright says the biggest thing a driver needs to be aware of is road closures.

“Sometimes you might be using your GPS, and it might even just show you that there’s a huge tree in the middle of the road,” Wright says. “So, I would suggest that everybody be a little extra vigilant out there Give yourself even more time to reach your destination because you just don’t know what you might be facing.”

Wright also says motorists need to be mindful of emergency workers as they hit the road.

“They’re rescuing stranded motorists. They’re trying to save lives. And so, when we’re talking about your emergency, emergency personnel and first responders, or even our tow truck operators at AAA, they’re going to be rescuing stranded motorist all throughout the holiday weekend,” she said.

Flight Aware reported a total of 23 flight cancellations in the last 24 hours. Passengers can check with Flight Aware’s website to monitor any changes.

But airports are also advising passengers to check with their airlines about any potential delays.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Several Charleston properties and one in the Upstate are finalists for national awards honoring “the world’s finest historic hotels and hoteliers.”

More than 350 nominations from across the country were submitted for Historic Hotels of America’s consideration.

John Rutledge House Inn and Wentworth Mansion, both owned by Charleston-based Charming Inns, are finalists in the best small historic inn/hotel category.

Stacey Bodnar, a spokeswoman for Charming Inns, said the nomination alone is a big deal and a testament to a “commitment to furthering the preservation and celebration of our historic hotels.”

Also, The Dewberry and the Francis Marion, which stand guard on the east and west flanks of Marion Square, were nominated as best historic hotel. The Westin Poinsett in Greenville made the finalist list as well.

The Francis Marion notched a second nomination in the best city center historic hotel. A million-dollar project at the King Street property was completed this year to restore and preserve the historic façade, ahead of its 100th anniversary next year. Owner Steve Dopp also owns the 12-story Westin Poinsett, which was built in 1925 and shared the same architect as the Francis Marion.

A third lodging owned by Dopp, The Middlebury Inn in Vermont, was also named a finalist.

Several of the nominated accommodations recently claimed top spots on Travel + Leisure “World’s Best” lists this year in different categories. Wentworth Mansion earned a spot on the list of best hotels worldwide, while John Rutledge House Inn, Wentworth Mansion and The Dewberry were among the best in South Carolina.

Postponed

While Hurricane Idalia closed many businesses and attractions last week, it also postponed at least two hospitality events.

The grand opening of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition’s first permanent gallery inside The Charleston Place was put off. The debut, originally set for Aug. 30, has been rescheduled to Sept. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Also delayed was Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum’s opening of its temporary photo exhibit: “The Men Will Always Be There: Edward Steichen and the Naval Photographic Unit.” It was scheduled to open Sept. 2 but will now open to the public on Sept. 9. It replaces the “All Who Served: The Uniforms of World War II” display.

Boat life

Visitors, locals and other landlubbers who want to “live like a sailor” can do so this month at Patriots Point. Operation Overnight Family Weekend is set for Sept. 15 aboard the Yorktown aircraft carrier. The state-owned military attraction offers the sleepover experience to individuals and families one night a year. The cost is $85 per person. The deadline to sign up is Sept. 5.

Last year, 10,622 overnight “campers” bunked down on the Yorktown, including youth scout troops and other groups.