Quartz Countertopsin Charleston, SC

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) — An intense late-year storm barreled up the East Coast on Sunday with heavy rains and strong winds that shattered rainfall records, forced water rescues from flooded streets and washed out holiday celebrations.

Authorities rescued dozens of motorists stranded by floodwaters in South Carolina’s waterfront community of Georgetown, Georgetown County spokesperson Jackie Broach said. More than 9 inches (22.9 centimeters) of rain fell in the area situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach since late Saturday.

“It’s not just the areas that we normally see flooding, that are flood-prone,” Broach said. “It’s areas that we’re not really expecting to have flooding issues...It’s like a tropical storm, it just happens to be in December.”

The tide in Charleston Harbor hit its fourth highest level on record and was “well above the highest tide for a non-tropical system,” according to the National Weather Service.

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Rising sea levels driven by human-caused climate change mean even relatively weak weather systems can now produce storm surges previously associated with hurricanes, said Meteorologist Jeff Masters, co-founder of the Weather Underground. In South Carolina that’s worsened by natural subsidence along the coast.

By 2050, Charleston is expected to see another 14 inches (35.6 centimeters) of sea level rise, Masters said.

“In Charleston, this is the sixth time this year already that they’ve had a major coastal flood. Most of those would not have been major flooding 100 years ago, because the sea level has risen that much,” he said.

The storm was forecast to gain strength as it tracked along the Georgia and Carolina coasts, producing heavy rain and gusty winds before sweeping into New England by Monday morning, the weather service said. Wind gusts of 35 mph to 45 mph (56 kph to 72 kph) could bring down trees, especially on saturated ground.

There were numerous road closures in Charleston and across South Carolina’s Lowcountry, while stranded cars littered streets.

There were no reports of injuries or deaths in Georgetown County, Broach said. Gusty winds were strong enough to topple some signs and trees. Outdoor holiday decorations were tossed about, she said.

Water rescues also took place on Kiawah and Seabrook islands, according to media outlets.

Charleston International Airport had more than 3 inches (8 centimeters) of rain in 24 hours — almost five times the prior record set in 1975, according to the National Weather Service.

Farther up the coast, minor to moderate coastal flooding was expected Sunday, according to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, North Carolina.

There were more than 31,000 power outages in South Carolina, according to PowerOutage.us, along with over 14,000 in North Carolina and more than 11,000 in Florida.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned of a possible 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 centimeters) of rain, powerful winds and potential flooding in parts of the state. Flood watches were in effect in many locations in New York City, and high wind warnings were activated around the city and Long Island.

“We will get through this storm, but preparation is the key,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said. City officials told residents to expect several hours of rain and possible delays during Monday morning’s commute.

Colder air behind the storm will trigger lake-effect snow across the Great Lakes toward the Appalachians and upstate New York into Tuesday, the weather service said.

The storm dumped up to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of rain across Florida, inundating streets and forcing the cancellation of boat parades and other holiday celebrations.

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings and minor flooding advisories for a wide swath of the state, from the southwest Gulf Coast to Jacksonville. Major airports remained open, however, at the start of the busy holiday travel season.

“Today is not the day to go swimming or boating!” Sheriff Carmine Marceno of Lee County, on Florida’s southwestern coast, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Coastal advisories were issued for much of Florida as strong winds churned waters in the Gulf and along the north Atlantic coast.

The storm could be good news for residents in southwest Florida who have been facing water restrictions and drought conditions heading into what normally is the region’s dry season.

The weather service also warned of 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 centimeters) of rain in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, with the heaviest expected late Sunday night, and possible urban and small stream flooding and at least minor flooding to some rivers through Monday.

Forecasters also warned of strong winds in coastal areas, gale-force winds offshore, and moderate coastal flooding along Delaware Bay and widespread minor coastal flooding elsewhere.

The weather service said there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of New England through Monday morning, with the potential for flash flooding. Northern New England is expected to get the heaviest rain Monday through Tuesday morning.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - After a push to allow instant runoff voting in South Carolina, one state representative from the Lowcountry is warning against the highly debated election method.

Instant runoff voting, or ranked-choice voting, is an election method that’s not currently allowed in South Carolina.

Here’s how it works:

There are two bills in the state legislature regarding Instant Runoff Voting, one to allow the election method, and one to prohibit it.

Representative Matthew Leber of Charleston and Colleton Counties says he is against the idea of instant runoff voting in South Carolina, although he’s not directly involved with the bill to prohibit it.

He says the voting method goes against the American Tradition of one vote per person, and that he’s hesitant to change a system that has been working for centuries.

“There’s a scenario where a person loses their vote in total. If they pick fifth or fourth place candidates, then they could actually have their vote exhausted,” he says, “I just think that’s foreign to us to imagine that 10% of all the votes could be rejected or exhausted and wouldn’t count.”

Instant runoff voting advocate and President and CEO of the Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Frank Knapp, says traditional runoffs have a lower voter turnout anyway.

“We have up to 40% fewer voters for a runoff, and those fewer voters have no decision, no vote, on who the eventual winner is,” Knapp says.

The election method also could create a lot of confusion, and take voters more time at the polls, Leber says.

“We’re already struggling to get 50% of adults to show up to elections, so folks that get frustrated with the system, I fear would not come out,” Leber says.

Knapp says the system is easily learned.

“The complaint that instant runoff voting, that rank ordering the candidates on a ballot in order of your preference, is confusing and is an insult to South Carolina Voters of any age,” Knapp says.

The Small Business Chamber of Commerce and other organizations in support of Instant Runoff Voting say eliminating a runoff weeks later saves taxpayers money, estimating it would save the City of Charleston $105,000 alone.

However, Leber says he doesn’t think that’s a guarantee.

“That’s their biggest selling point, and I think that there are so many unintended, unforeseen consequences to it.”

Isaac Cramer, the Executive Director of the Charleston County Board of Elections, says the conversation surrounding Instant Runoff Voting is highlighting the need to eliminate runoffs in South Carolina.

Cramer says runoffs are a huge strain for election officials.

“You’re looking at two weeks where we have to prepare everything for a runoff,” he says, “So when we look at instant runoff voting or ranked-choice voting, it is a solution. The hardest part of it is implementation.”

South Carolinians have never voted this way before, and he says it would take a huge education campaign to educate both voters and poll workers.

He says his recommendation would be to pilot Instant Runoff Voting to see if it works for voters and election officials.

“To implement ranked-choice voting for the whole state with one sweep of the pen or one piece of Legislation, I would actually say ‘let’s put the brakes on that, let’s look at it, let’s test it out, let’s get feedback,’” he says. “We’re heading into a busy 2024, it’s not the time to make an election system change when we have a presidential election.”

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

EDITOR’S NOTE: For our full list of holiday tree lightings, parades and markets happening through December, read our roundup at charlestonscene.com.

To submit an event, go to postandcourier.com/calendar.

Thursday

Marvelous Maps Workshop

What: Learn how to read different types of maps, examine maps made throughout the centuries and create your very own map to take home. Museum Workshops offer kids a chance to get hands-on with history and natural history. Recommended for children ages 6 to 12. Reservations required.

When: 10 a.m. Dec. 28

Where: The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston

Price: Non-member $15, Member $10

More Info: 843-722-2996, ext. 236, bit.ly/3RQnicK

Dizgo

What: A dizzier disco, filled with a hodgepodge of genres, styles and technical influences while still, at it’s core, a dance party.

When: 6 p.m. Dec. 28

Where: Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island

Price: $10

More Info: bit.ly/3GQOm5w

Royal American: 12th Anniversary Party

What: Celebrate The Royal American’s 12th anniversary with The Simplicity and other special guests.

When: 9 p.m. Dec. 28

Where: The Royal American, 970 Morrison Drive, Charleston

Price: Free

More Info: bit.ly/3TzzfVs

Friday

New Year’s Hellfest 2023

What: A three-day outdoor event with over 30 metal bands from across the nation with vendors, food trucks, fireworks, on-site camping and fire pits.

When: 4 p.m. Dec. 29

Where: The Ridgeville Roadhouse, 1442 Old Gilliard Road, Ridgeville

Price: $12+

More Info: bit.ly/48aCc3g

Extra Chill Presents: Chris Gardner’s Birthday Bash

What: Live performances from Brett Nash, Rhodium, Local Nomad and Horsey.

When: 9 p.m.

Where: The Royal American, 970 Morrison Drive, Charleston

Price: $10

More Info: bit.ly/48sRwIf

Saturday

Well Hung Vineyards: Year End Drag Brunch Party

What: Head over to Well Hung Vineyards for a fabulous Year End Drag Brunch Party, where there’ll be food, bottomless mimosas and tons of drag performances.

When: 11 a.m. Dec. 30

Where: Well Hung Vineyard Restaurant, 49 South Market St., Charleston

Price: $5-$10

More Info: bit.ly/3GRThTE

Inaugural Crab Crack & Oyster Roast

What: Off Da Hookah presents an unforgettable night of crabs, oysters and partying.

When: 1 p.m. Dec. 30

Where: 485 William Ladson Road, Mount Pleasant

Price: $25

More Info: bit.ly/41A2J7N

NYEE at The Purple Buffalo

What: Get ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve Eve with the finest bass assassins from all over the country. An energetic event filled with music, DJ sets, dancing and vendors.

When: 5 p.m. Dec. 30

Where: The Purple Buffalo, 2702 Azalea Drive, North Charleston

Price: $25

More Info: bit.ly/48vjLWK

Sunday

Freedom’s Eve: Gullah Geechee Watch Night

What: The community is invited to participate in a noonday celebration that is over 155 years old: the Watch Night service commemorating the date of Jan. 1, 1863, when enslaved people began to emerge from bondage as a result of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. To showcase the rich, cultural heritage of the Gullah Geechee people, there will be musical and dance performances, along with historical presentations by descendants of Gullah Geechee communities.

When: Noon Dec. 31

Where: The historic Morris Brown AME Church, 13 Morris St., Charleston

Price: Free

More info: bit.ly/4akh9wK

The Duney Drop Celebration

What: The New Year’s Eve family event at Wild Dunes Resort offers a magical experience for the entire family. The grand ballroom will be adorned with shimmering decorations. For adults, tickets include a three-hour bar, appetizers, desserts and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Young adults and children will have their own special experience that include appetizers, desserts and a complimentary sparkling cider toast. Open to the public; let them know you’re there to celebrate NYE at the gate.

When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31

Where: Palms Ballroom at The Sweetgrass Inn, Wild Dunes, 5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms

Price: Adult (21+) $70, young adult (13-20) $25, child (3-12) $18

More info: bit.ly/3ts9pbg

NYE at Aquarium Aglow

What: The countdown is on for this family-friendly party where you don’t have to be a night owl to ring in the new year. In addition to the full Aquarium Aglow experience, there’ll be a DJ spinning party tunes, face painting, a stilt walker and a ball drop — all before bedtime.

When: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 31

Where: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston

Price: Adult $34.95, child (3-12) $29.95

More info: scaquarium.org/new-years-eve

Monday

11th Annual Bill Murray Look-a-Like Polar Plunge

What: Dive into 2024 at the 11th annual Bill Murray Look-a-Like Polar Plunge. The annual plunge will take place beachside at the Folly Beach Tides Hotel and will include a costume contest and then a plunge into the Atlantic. All attendees are encouraged to come in costume, especially as your favorite Bill Murray character. There will be prizes for Best Overall Bill Murray, Best Girl, Best Guy and Best Team/Family. Advanced registration required for the costume contest.

When: 12:30 p.m. Jan. 1

Where: Tides Hotel, 1 Center St., Folly Beach

Price: Free

More Info: visitfolly.com/bill-murray-polar-plunge

Charleston Emancipation Proclamation Parade

What: Join in on the annual tradition, the Charleston Emancipation Proclamation parade. The parade will be begin at Burke High School and conclude at Gadsdenboro Park with remarks, vendors and food trucks.

When: 11 a.m. Jan. 1

Where: Burke High School, 244 President St., Charleston

Price: Free

More Info: chsepa.wordpress.com

New Year’s Day Family Oyster Roast

What: Kick off the new year with a bang at the Family Oyster Roast, which promises to be a shucking good time for the entire crew.

When: 2 p.m. Jan. 1

Where: Jenkins Youth and Family Village, 3923 Azalea Drive, North Charleston

Price: $25

More Info: bit.ly/3RUZoNa

Tuesday

‘Hadestown’

What: Welcome to “Hadestown,” where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin is a love story for today … and always. “Hadestown” intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.

When: Various times Jan. 2-7

Where: North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston

Price: $57+

More Info: northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/hadestown

Get a weekly list of tips on pop-ups, last minute tickets and little-known experiences hand-selected by our newsroom in your inbox each Thursday.

Summerville is the big daddy of Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, for the moment at least.

The top executive of the chain’s parent company gave the Berkeley County location in Nexton a shout out while discussing an otherwise lackluster quarter and short-term outlook for the casual dining concept.

“While Bad Daddy’s results for the quarter are disappointing and our expectations for the first quarter of the year are for similar, if not slightly lower performance,” CEO Ryan Zink said on an earnings call with investors and analyst last week. I’m confident in the relevance and the power of the brand as our highest-volume restaurant in Summerville, South Carolina, continues to post positive year-over-year sales, our second-highest volume restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina.”

Bad Daddy’s is owned by Golden Colo-based Good Times Restaurants Inc.

The publicly traded company expanded the burger brand to Summerville’s Nexton Square Shopping Center in October 2019.

Wired up

A Charleston-area company soon will bring broadband access to some rural outskirts of the expanding metro area.

Home Telecom announced it’s been awarded two grants totaling more than $9.5 million from the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff to expand service to 2,640 structures throughout Berkeley County and parts of neighboring Dorchester County.

The Daniel Island-based company’s contribution of $5.1 million brings the total investment to more than $14.6 million. The expansion footprint include portions of Cross, Huger, Harleyville, Bates Pond, Huger South, Jedburg Road and Lebanon.

Home Telecom CEO Will Helmly noted the new funding will allow the utility to double rural broadband upgrades, providing more access to high-speed internet service.

The S.C. Broadband Office announced the grants that were funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act’s capital projects fund program.

Across the state, the agency said it has committed $112.3 million to eight internet service providers, including Home Telecom, with the capacity to connect more than 16,000 locations.

Topsy tourney

Chalk up another ace for the Credit One Charleston Open.

The annual event that’s operated by Ben Navarro’s locally based Charleston Tennis LLC and is part of affiliated Beemok Sports and Entertainment been named Women’s Tennis Association’s 500 Tournament of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The recognition is determined by players who judge each tournament on its staff, organization, fan enthusiasm and other criteria.

Steve Simon, chairman of the WTA, said that the event has earned a “well-deserved reputation and set an aspirational standard.”

The nine-day competition, formerly known as Family Circle Cup and Volvo Car Open, is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America. This year it drew in roughly 90,000 attendees, and the Tennis Channel’s TV coverage reaches an audience of more than 20 million viewers.

The Credit One open is now broadcast to viewers in over 150 countries, which has played a part in the increased attendance over the last several years, according to organizers.

The spring tournament moved from its longtime home on Hilton Head Island to Daniel Island in 2001.The 52nd edition kicks off March 30 at Credit One Stadium, which Charleston Tennis leases from the city of Charleston. Tickets are on sale.

Self rising

Self-storage property values continue to climb based on one recent sale in Mount Pleasant.

The Go Store It location just off Johnnie Dodds Boulevard between Mathis Ferry Road and the Shelmore Boulevard intersection fetched $17.3 million earlier this month, a nearly 42 percent premium from the previous sale three years ago.

The seller was GSI Mt. Pleasant LLC, an affiliate of Charlotte-based Madison Capital Group. It paid $12.2 million in December 2020 for the specialty warehouse property that operated for many years under the Pack Rat brand.

The new owner is Baranof Holdings. The privately held Dallas-based investment firm bought about 5 acres on Folly Road near the end of James Island Connector last year for $2.95 million. Work is underway on the 727-unit project.

South Carolina’s unemployment rate edged up to 3 percent but remained near record lows at a time when officials said the state is attracting new employers, particularly within the electric-vehicle industry.

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce said last week that November was another “record-setting month” based on gains in the labor participation rate, which now sits at 57%.

“Economic development in the state remains strong as evidenced by recent announcements in Sumter and Florence with employers who will provide hundreds of additional jobs,” agency chief William Floyd said in a written statement.

Floyd was referring to e-VAC Magnetics, a German manufacturer of magnets used in EVs, with plans to create 300 jobs and invest more than $500 million, and AESC’s $1.6 billion battery factory set to add 1,620 jobs in the Pee Dee. Both sites are not expected to come online until 2025 at the earliest.

Floyd said the South Carolina employment market remained strong in November. The number of residents joining the labor pool rose, though the new figure was not available, “indicating that people are entering the workforce and finding jobs,” according to Floyd.

South Carolina’s unemployment rate hovered at 2.9 percent in September and October, which marked a low not seen since before the pandemic.

The number of individuals in the workforce is up more than 5,000 from October and more than 104,000 since November 2022.

HARDEEVILLE — The sale of a 2,600-acre parcel in Hardeeville is expected to lead to a large-scale development effort that could take two decades to complete.

Charleston-based Hoyer Investment Company Land, LLC paid $36 million for the property known as the Morgan Tract, which was described as the last large developable tract in the region.

Prior to its sale, it had been owned by the Morgan family for more than 100 years.

“Local and national developers have attempted to purchase this land for over 25 years with no success,” said HIC Land founder and CEO Stefan Hoyer in a press release. “HIC took on the challenge, and our team overcame the many obstacles to close on the property. Because we are a privately funded company with no outside investors, we were able to buy the land directly from the Morgan family without red tape or bureaucratic decision-making.”

The parcel is located between U.S. Route 278 and Interstate 95 and is adjacent to Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head.

Hardeeville Mayor Harry Williams said the property is a planned development district, and the city has anticipated its eventual development for years.

The property is slated to include a diverse selection of homes, commercial spaces, amenities, parks, nature trails and sidewalks.

The planned development district dates to 2006 and allows for the construction of 6,700 residential dwelling units. Up to 1,000 multifamily units are allowed. The conceptual master plan for the tract sets aside 1,467 acres for residential use, 969 acres for commercial use and 116 acres for light industry.

Working with builder D.R. Horton, HIC Land expects to break ground on the project next year. They forecast it will take 20 years to complete the full build out. When complete, the project could dwarf neighboring Latitude Margaritaville, which, according to a December 2022 press release, will consist of 3,000 homes.

“We are very pleased that it has been purchased by HIC and will be built by D.R. Horton for several reasons. They have several projects in Hardeeville, and they have proven to be reliable partners. They deliver what they promise,” Williams said.

Hardeeville City Manager Michael Czymbor acknowledged that much has changed in the Highway 278 corridor since the current development agreement was inked 17 years ago. Hoyer concurred, saying that it was too early in the process to know how closely the planned development district will be followed.

“I would say this is yet another example of how development agreements can tie the hands of future councils,” said Grant McClure project manager for the Coastal Conservation League. “The reality is that whole area lacks the infrastructure needed to handle all the development that has been entitled.”

Any proposed changes to the Morgan Tract development agreement or master plan will need to be approved by the city. Some of those requests have already been files and are in various stages of review, said Czymbor.

Several other large development efforts are currently in various stages of development in the immediate vicinity of the Morgan Tract. The city’s challenges, said Czymbor, are to coordinate those efforts efficiently and to balance economic development with quality of life concerns and environmental impact.

“There’s going to be a lot of activity in that area,” he said.