From the Island Packet

The NWS issued a coastal flooding advisory Tuesday as the high tide was forecast to inundate coastal areas with 6 inches or more of water. This phenomenon is called high-tide flooding, and it occurs when weather and astrological variables push seawater above normal high marks. It’s concerning for the Lowcountry, since much of it is low-lying and susceptible to floods.

The NWS issued a coastal flooding advisory Tuesday as the high tide was forecast to inundate coastal areas with 6 inches or more of water. This phenomenon is called high-tide flooding, and it occurs when weather and astrological variables push seawater above normal high marks. It’s concerning for the Lowcountry, since much of it is low-lying and susceptible to floods.

And the 2026 El Niño could make high-tide flooding a more frequent issue. El Niño are known to exacerbate high-tide flooding, and this year’s El Niño is forecast to be very strong.

From the Post & Courier

Changes are happening in Old Town Bluffton, but a new program ensures little disruption for visitors.

To maintain seamless access to local shops, restaurants and parks during ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the town of Bluffton has launched a free shuttle service. The 12-week pilot program, which is currently underway, partners with Hidden Treasures, a Bluffton-based tour service, to provide a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle. The guided-tour company typically showcases the history of Gullah culture in the area.

"They have contracted with the town in the past and have the beautiful golf carts to provide for this shuttle service," said Bluffton spokesperson Debbie Szpanka. "It’s a proactive thing we are trying to do to get people adjusted to the shuttles so that when the big projects get underway they will know how to navigate it all."

Operating Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., two eight-seat carts run a continuous loop. This allows visitors to bypass the search for parking during ongoing streetscape improvements.

To ensure clear visibility, the town has established four designated stop locations marked with two-sided sandwich board signs. The shuttle loops continuously between Wright Family Parkat 111 Calhoun St., the corner of Mellichamp Drive and Bluffton Road, the M.C. Riley Sports Complex at 185 Goethe Road, and Oyster Factory Park at 63 Wharf St.

From WTOC

Beaufort County Mosquito Control has confirmed the first West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples of the year in Beaufort County. The samples were collected from surveillance trap locations in the City of Beaufort and tested in the agency’s laboratory.

Beaufort County Mosquito Control said it is increasing mosquito trapping in the identified areas and will schedule more truck treatment missions to reduce adult mosquito populations.

The agency said it deploys up to 80 mosquito surveillance traps each week throughout Beaufort County to detect mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus. Officials said West Nile virus is naturally found in the area, but detection can vary from year to year.