Jeanne's Rain Moving North Across South Carolina

COLUMBIA -- Jeanne's rains are beginning to cover the Upstate as the storm moves north through Georgia.

A tropical storm warning is in effect much of the South Carolina coast. The National Hurricane Center extended the warning from Georgia to the South Santee River near Georgetown Monday morning.

The National Weather Service office in Charleston said minimal tropical storm force winds are expected along the South Carolina coast. Forecasters said coastal flooding and beach erosion is possible. The weather service said flooding is possible in downtown Charleston from the heavy rains.

All but eight counties in the northeast corner of the state are under a flood watch until 6 p.m Tuesday. A high wind warning is in effect for the mountains of both Carolinas until 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Forecasters and emergency officials asked residents to continue monitoring the storm because changes in the track and strength could bring a variety of severe weather to the state. Forecasters said that whenever tropical systems come into the state on the inland side, there is a chance of tornadoes, heavy rain and flooding.

The Beaufort County School District said Sunday that all its schools would be closed Monday in anticipation of heavy rains, wind and the potential of tornadoes.

The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center showed Jeanne's center crossing South Carolina along Interstate 85 in the Upstate, but moving more slowly than previously forecast. The current projected path has the storm cross the southern Upstate sometime Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service said Jeanne could bring between 2 and 7 inches of rain across the region, depending on the path and speed of the storm, with the heaviest rain coming to the Upstate and North Carolina mountains between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Stay tuned to WYFF News 4 and TheCarolinaChannel.com for the latest information on the storm.

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