Hurricane Ian, which hit Florida as a Category 4 storm, is likely to impact the Midlands of South Carolina starting the evening of Thursday, Sept. 29, heading into the following morning, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service.

Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency in South Carolina ahead of the storm effective 3 p.m. Sept. 28, but he said during a briefing that no evacuation orders have been given, and it doesn't look like they'll be necessary.

At the Sept. 28 briefing, John Quagliariello, warning coordination meteorologist at NWS Columbia, said starting Friday morning, storm surge and isolated tornadoes can be expected along the coast, while Tropical Storm-force wind gusts, some heavy rain and flash flooding can be expected as far inland as the Upstate.

According to the latest available NWS forecasts, the chance that the Midlands will see winds in excess of 39 mph is between 20% and 30%. The area is projected to see between four and six inches of rain as a result of the storm.

Dominion Energy is monitoring how the storm might affect Lake Murray.

“The lake is currently below normal levels due to the dry weather this summer,” Dominion Communication Specialist Matthew Long told the Chronicle. “Dominion Energy has continued releasing water this week while monitoring the path of the storm. We are prepared to make any additional adjustments, if needed.”

The threat of inclement weather has already forced the cancellation of some events, including the Lower Saluda Craft Beer Fest on Sept. 30 and the Gaston Collard and BBQ Festival and Cayce Fall Fest on Oct. 1. All high school football games involving Chronicle Country teams have been moved to Sept. 28 and 29.

Lexington County School Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Lexington-Richland District 5 have announced that Friday, Sept. 30, will be an e-learning day for their students, and Midlands Technical College will close that day.

The Chronicle will continue to post pertinent updates as the storm progresses.

Kailee Kokes contributed to this report.

I-26 Widening Ahead of Schedule

The widening of Interstate 26 between Irmo and Little Mountain is set to be finished three years ahead of schedule, The Post and Courier reports.

“By the end of 2024, 12 miles of I-26 — from Little Mountain to Peak — will be six lanes, and the remaining 4 miles — from Peak to Irmo — will be eight lanes. The Department of Transportation will also replace seven overpasses and reconstruct three interchanges along that expanse of highway, totaling $512 million in renovations,” Skylar Baird writes.

Gov. Henry McMaster spoke to the accelerated progress during a Sept. 21 press conference along the construction route outside Chapin.

“This is sound progress,” he is quoted.

Vehicle Charging Company Invests $4M in West Columbia

A company is investing $4 million to begin production of electric vehicle charging stations in West Columbia, The Post and Courier reports.

“ABB E-mobility said it is contracting with an existing manufacturing facility to build the electric vehicle chargers, bringing 100 new jobs to the area,” Jessica Holdman writes.

“Once new equipment is installed, the plant will have a capacity to make 10,000 chargers per year, ranging from 20 kilowatts to 180 kilowatts in power.”

The Switzerland-based company expects to produce its first units in West Columbia in late 2022, with full production coming online in early 2023, according to the story.

Sheriff’s Department to Host Trailer Engraving Event

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department will host another trailer-stamping event Oct. 7, this time at Lake Murray Baptist Church (1001 Hwy 378). The process takes about five minutes, according to a Facebook post.

The department acquired the trailer engraver it will bring to the event in March.

“Property crimes detectives have devised a system to make sure any trailer owner who wants to take part in the program can bring a trailer to us for marking with a specific number,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon was quoted in a release about the purchase. “We document the unique number and give a record of the number to the owner.”

Lexington-Richland District 5 to Offer Supper Program

Lexington-Richland School District 5 announced recently that it has partnered with the state Department of Social Services to offer a “supper program” to its students.

“The program will begin on October 1 and will end on June 1. Meals will be offered Monday through Friday to students enrolled in afterschool programs at Harbison West Elementary, Leaphart Elementary, Seven Oaks Park (Meals provided by Leaphart), Irmo High School, Crossroad Intermediate School (meals provided by Irmo High), YMCA Northwest location on Kennerly Road (meals provided by Harbison West).”