OFFICIALS WARN OF MAJOR FLOODING TODAY; URGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE CAUTION

The City of Charleston warns residents of major tidal flooding expected today between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Hurricane Milton's high northeast winds, storm surge, and projected 8.1 to 8.3-foot-high tide Thursday at 1:50 p.m. have the potential to cause major flooding, according to the National Weather Service office in Charleston. Rain is not expected.

Parking Garages Open for Free:Five city parking garages are open for free today until Friday at 8:30 a.m. Residents in low-lying areas are strongly urged to move their vehicles to these higher ground locations to avoid flood damage. The following garages will be opened for free:

• Aquarium parking garage (24 Calhoun Street)
• Visitor Center parking garage (63 Mary Street)
• 99 West Edge parking garage (99 West Edge Street, next to the Charleston Police Department)
• Charleston Tech Center parking garage (997 Morrison Drive)
• East Bay/Prioleau parking garage (25 Prioleau Street)

To take advantage of free parking, residents must press the call button upon exiting and inform the operator they are using the free storm parking.

Barricaded Steets:Charleston Police Department has deployed barricades to vulnerable streets and intersections ahead of today's high tides. Do not drive around barricades or through flooded streets. Violators will receive tickets. Use this link to view road closures.

Stay Informed:Residents are urged to stay informed through local media and follow the City of Charleston's official channels for the latest updates on the storm and its impact: