The Port of Charleston in South Carolina is now fully closed in anticipation of Hurricane Dorian which is moving north just off the U.S. east coast.
Port of Charleston Now Closed
With Hurricane Dorian already causing a huge amount of devastation on Grand Bahamas and Abaco Islands in the Bahamas, it is nor barreling down towards the states of Georgia and South Carolina which includes Port of Charleston.
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the cruise port in Charleston is now in condition ZULU which fully closes all operations including cruise ships. The closure set by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) went into effect on Wednesday at 8:00 AM.
During port condition Zulu, no vessels may enter or transit within the port without permission of the COTP. The Coast Guard and port partners will assess the condition of the port as soon as it is safe to do so in order to expedite the lifting of vessel restrictions.
The port is expecting the arrival of sustained gale force winds within 12 hours as Hurricane Dorian nears. According to the National Hurricane Center (NOAA), Dorian currently has maximum sustained winds of 105 MPH and is located 2015 miles south of Charleston. The Hurricane is moving at 9 MPH is set cause major storm surge, heavy rainfall and high winds.
Dorian will start hitting Charleston on Thursday and the eye will be just off the coast. The Hurricane has already brushed much of the east coast of Florida and will continue to move all the way north passed Norfolk and beyond.
Carnival Sunshine is the only vessel based out of Charleston so the impact to the cruise industry will be limited. However, passengers should keep checking for official updates for the upcoming September 7 departure.
Hurricane Dorian Port Coverage:
- Port Everglades Reopens and is Fully Operational
- PortMiami is Back Open As Hurricane Dorian Moves North
Many cruise ports are now starting to reopen after Dorian passes including PortMiami, Port Everglades and Port of West Palm Beach. As of now, Port Canaveral and Port of Jacksonville Remain closed.
Photo: South Carolina Ports Authority
