Idalia’s storm surge delivers some “wow” moments to locals at 2 popular spots on the water’s edge
In one of the rarest recent environmental events in the region, Wednesday’s storm surge from tropical storm Idalia washed over two popular waterfront locations, surprising observers. The rising waters drew a crowd of local spectators at Sands Beach in Port Royal in the early evening as the storm made its way northeast .
Long-time locals familiar with the tidal patterns were amazed by the unique event. “It isn’t even high tide yet,” said Paul Ricard, a Port Royal resident who was watching the rising waters. “I personally haven’t seen it this high up.”
By 7:45 p.m., water had completely covered one of the more popular beaches in northern Beaufort County’s - located on Battery Creek near downtown Port Royal.
As darkness approached, water was also threatening to overtake the boardwalk leading to the wooden tower - the popular destination for visitors looking to get an elevated view of the area. A crowd made up of mostly local residents waded through the water to reach the boardwalk as waves from Battery Creek rushed underneath the boardwalk and into the marshy areas, but not over it. The waist-high posts in the Sands Beach parking lot were almost out of sight.
Kevin Phillips, member of the Town Council and longtime visitor to this stretch of beach marveled at the temporary change in the water’s flow Idalia had delivered to his community on the waters edge. The parking lot was entirely submerged as well. “Wow,” he said.
It’s not unusual for tidewaters to reach the parking lot occasionally but the height of the surge surprised Phillips.
Others watching the scene wondered whether the high water would completely submerge the popular boardwalk.
A similar scene was playing out nearly fifteen miles to the southwest on the Colleton river where the H. E. Trask Sr. Boat Landing in Bluffton also had its moment with the storm surge as the water rose to nearly envelop the wooden structure.
As the tides receded throughout the night and the storm made it’s way to the northeast, both local coastal areas returned to more normal water conditions
