Hurricane Matthew: Flash Flood Watches for Entire SC Coast

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The National Weather Service is posting flash flood watches for the entire South Carolina coast and warning that the combination of storm surge and rains from Hurricane Matthew could cause worse flooding in downtown Charleston than the October storm of a year ago.

During the October, 2015 flooding, the city was closed for several days.

Forecasters are posting flash flood watches on the coast from Friday morning through Saturday night.

An advisory warns that 8 to 14 inches of rain are expected with locally higher amounts. It said residents should be prepared for flash flooding, including the possibility of widespread street flooding and property damage on the Charleston peninsula.

Forecasters say the storm could bring severe flooding even though the center of Matthew is expected to stay offshore.