Charleston slammed with storm surge as Idalia continues pounding the Southeast
Storm surge from Tropical Storm Idalia has begun to flood parts of the historic city.
The storm surge from Tropical Storm Idalia flooded parts of the South Carolina city of Charleston on Wednesday, breaching the town's seawall.
According to FOX Weather meteorologist Steve Bender, strong land winds of about 40 mph pushed water across the Atlantic into the historic city's city streets.
Images from Charleston show how much the water rises as the storm approaches.
The National Weather Service in Charleston said Wednesday evening that the water had breached the Charleston Battery on the seawall in Charleston.
Major coastal flooding is being reported in downtown Charleston and on Edisto Beach.
They added that tide levels in the Port of Charleston have risen above 9 feet.
In Edisto, sand dunes were violated by water flowing from under houses and onto highways. \\This is a dangerous situation!\\ The NWS published it on Wednesday afternoon in Charleston.
The image below, taken in downtown Charleston, shows how much roads were covered by the storm surge.
WATCH: HURRICANE UNLEASHED BY HURRICANE IDALIA FOLLOWS CAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Further inland, roads have been transformed into improvised rivers.
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In addition to flooding, strong winds that reached winds of 50-65 mph toppled trees.
According to the NWS Charleston, water levels in Charleston are the 5th highest ever reported in the city.
They added that the records date back to 1921.
High water levels are the result of a number of factors.
The FOX Prediction Center said Idalia's combination, the swells from Franklin and the impacts from the moon's scene created the perfect event for flooding around other low-lying communities in Charleston and the Carolinas.
HURRICANE IDALI'S LANDING IN FLORIDA DURING THE FULL MOON STILL INCREASES THE THREAT OF STORM SURGES
Due to the full moon, tides are currently higher than normal,\ said Greg Diamond, senior meteorologist at the FOX Prediction Center. \\This is the main differentiator here.
So the weaker Tropical Storm Idalia is producing water levels there with Matthew and Irma stronger and larger.