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Flooding sweeps East amid ‘mind-boggling’ rains
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As historic rain continues to pound South Carolina, people were forced to evacuate their homes. Boats helped rescue those who were stranded.
Much of South Carolina was gripped by floodwaters early Monday, as emergency responders promised renewed door-to-door searches for anyone still trapped after days of torrential rain.
At least seven weather-related deaths have been blamed on the storm, as “historic” rainfall up to 2 feet in some areas combined with high winds to strand motorists and residents and force hundreds of evacuations and rescues.
As for the economic cost of the flooding, it should “easily surpass $1 billion given the enormity of the damage,” according to an early estimate from Steve Bowen, a meteorologist with Aon Benfield, a global reinsurance firm.
“The cost to infrastructure alone could be that much, ” Bowen said in an e-mail to USA TODAY. “Unfortunately, as is the case with flood events, much of the damage will not be covered by insurance since only a small percentage of homeowners in South Carolina are current National Flood Insurance Program policyholders.”
The rain was forecast to continue deep into Monday in some parts of the state. Overnight curfews were in effect beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday in Columbia, Sumter and several counties.
Gov. Nikki Haley on Sunday said South Carolina’s first responders were battling flooding from rains that can be expected once in 1,000 years.
“Our goal is all hands on deck,” Haley said of the emergency response. “We will get through this, but we need everyone to stay strong.”
The National Weather Service’s Charleston office reported “mind-boggling rain amounts.” They included 24-plus inches in Mount Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston, since the storm began Thursday. Columbia recorded more than 10 inches.
President Obama approved federal disaster aid for South Carolina.
Haley said first responders received more than 750 rescue calls in a 12-hour period that started before dawn Sunday. Hundreds of road closures were reported, including a section of Interstate 95, the vital highway connecting eastern states from Maine to Florida.
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South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley says that parts of her state haven’t had this much rain in 1,000 years. So far, three people have died from weather-related incidents in South Carolina.
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Haley said 600 National Guard personnel have been called out, with hundreds more on alert. And she warned residents not to plan on getting out until Tuesday to ease the burden on rescue personnel.
Among those rescued were a mother and her 15-month-old daughter, who were rescued from the roof of their flooded home by a Coast Guard air crew in Huger, about 25 miles north of Charleston, on Sunday. A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Ga., evacuated the pair to Mt. Pleasant Regional Airport.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski called the weather event the worst in the state since Hurricane Hugo, which made landfall near Charleston as a Category 4 storm in 1989, killing 27 people in the state.
“Charleston got 11.5 inches of rain on Saturday, which is a one-day record,” Pydynowski said. “Today Columbia is setting records.”
In Mount Pleasant, Sarah Shinners said her home was above the waterline — but the only road out of her neighborhood was impassable.
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGUnusual things South Carolina flooding left behind | 01:56
Mother Nature left some oddities in unlikely places after the South Carolina’s historic flooding.
WLTX-TV
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC Natl Guard Brings Clean Water to Hospital | 01:31
US Soldiers with the South Carolina Army National Guard supplied water purification units to create clean water at an area hospital on Saturday. (Oct. 11)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGS.C. Residents Evacuate Flooded Neighborhoods | 01:19
Almost a week after the flooding rains, residents in Georgetown, South Carolina were still evacuating their homes as high waters rushed downstream. (Oct. 10)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGColumbia residents face daunting cleanup after flooding | 01:58
Columbia, South Carolina residents are starting to clean up after last week’s devastating storms. Neighbors are banding together to assess and clean up the damage.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGS. Carolina Flood Victims: ‘We Lost Everything’ | 01:05
South Carolina National Guard assists flood victims with neighborhood missions and encourages evacuation. (Oct. 9)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGRaw: National Guard Delivers Sandbags To SC | 00:45
Officials in South Carolina are deciding how to protect the capital city’s main water source after part of the Columbia canal collapsed following historic rains. The National Guard delivered sandbags on Wednesday to help dam the breached canal. (Oct
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC Governor Urges Evacuations Along The Coast | 00:56
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is urging residents of Georgetown and other coastal areas to evacuate ahead of flooding that is expected as storm water flows down swollen rivers toward the coast. (Oct. 8)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGOfficial: No plans to turn Columbia’s water off | 01:05
A Columbia, South Carolina official insists that the city’s water plants are running at full capacity after news broke that the Columbia canal collapsed, a setback in the effort to protect the city’s main water source.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGA Search For Normal After Historic Floods | 01:02
Residents of Summerville, South Carolina, continue to recover from this week’s historic floods. Some residents forced from their homes wonder when their lives will return to normal. (Oct. 7)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGVolunteers Show up in Droves for Flood Cleanup | 01:41
As hundreds of homeowners return home to assess the flood damage in Columbia, South Carolina, they’re met by a number of volunteers looking to help. (Oct. 7)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC Gov: Death Toll Rises, Dams Being Monitored | 01:30
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said the death toll from massive flooding across the state has risen to 15 people. Meanwhile, officials are monitoring dams as water continues to swell rivers. (Oct. 7)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGEngineers Scramble to Reinforce SC Dam | 00:39
Engineers scrambled Wednesday to reinforce portions of the Beaver Dam in Columbia, South Carolina, adding 2 tons of rocks to a failing section. As crews strengthened the dam, local authorities urged residents to evacuate. (Oct. 7)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC Residents Assess Damage after Historic Rains | 02:09
On the the first sunny day since historic rainfall flooded parts of South Carolina, residents of Columbia help one another try to salvage what’s left, and search for personal items. (Oct. 6)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGFloating fire ant island will make your skin crawl | 00:30
South Carolina’s record floods were no match for these fire ants, who clustered together to form a floating raft on the high waters of Dorchester County.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGGov. Haley: “It is Hard to Look at the Loss” | 02:14
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is warning residents not to get complacent because several rivers have still not crested after the heavy rains. (Oct. 6)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGAl Roker sorry for smiley South Carolina flood selfie | 01:09
Al Roker created a natural disaster while reporting on the deadly South Carolina floods when he tweeted a picture of himself, smiling beside destruction. Sean Dowling (@seandowlingtv) has the reactions that lit up Twitter.
Buzz60
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGS.C. Residents Clean Up After Flooding | 01:31
Residents in Columbia, South Carolina cleaned up soggy debris Tuesday after heavy rains flooded their homes with waist-deep water. (Oct. 6)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGFloodwaters Slam South Carolina; 12 Killed | 01:29
Thousands of South Carolina residents faced the prospect of going days without running water, With dams overflowing, bridges collapsing and floodwaters rolling down to the coast, the state on Monday was anything but done with the disaster. (Oct. 6)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGS.C. Residents Clean Up After Flooding | 00:32
Residents in Columbia, South Carolina cleaned up soggy debris Tuesday after heavy rains flooded their homes with waist-deep water. (Oct. 6)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGNew Flood Worries In Coastal South Carolina | 00:53
As South Carolina recovers from historic floods, there are new worries for people in Georgetown, a coastal city at the confluence of four rivers. (Oct. 6)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGBirds-eye view of widespread devastation from floods | 01:02
See the sheer destruction caused by this week’s catastrophic flooding in South Carolina.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGAerial footage shows roads washed out by S.C. flood | 01:01
Hundreds of roads remain closed in South Carolina after a historic flood swept much of the state. Emergency crews are still working to assess the damage and make repairs.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGStrangers rescue man and dog trapped in car by flood | 01:23
An 87-year-old man was driving from Canada to Florida with his dog, when their car got caught in South Carolina’s floods. They were trapped in the water for hours before a Columbia couple spotted them and rushed to their rescue.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGRaw: Aerial Tour Shows S.C. Flooding Damage | 01:30
After a week of steady rain, the showers tapered off Monday and an inundated South Carolina turned to surveying a road system shredded by historic flooding. (Oct. 5)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGRaw: Helicopter Rescues From S.C. Flooding | 01:02
After a week of steady rain, the showers tapered off Monday and an inundated South Carolina turned to surveying a road system shredded by historic flooding. (Oct. 5)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGForced evacuations after dam breaks | 01:02
Residents in several areas of South Carolina are being evacuated after a dam broke in Forest Acres.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC Gov.: 9 Weather-Related Deaths from Storms | 01:26
Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley advises residents to still stay indoors as 9 deaths were reported as a result of the vast rainstorms impacting the state. (Oct. 5)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGCaskets, cars carried away in South Carolina floods | 02:55
South Carolinians are struggling to cope with historic floods caused by the heaviest rain ever recorded in parts of the state.
USA TODAY
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSouth Carolina governor: Flood dangers ‘very real’ | 01:25
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley says recovery efforts are underway, but dangers remain from the state’s historic flooding.
VPC
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGRaw: SC Hit Hard By Driving Rains And Flooding | 01:22
Hundreds have been rescued from fast-moving floodwaters in South Carolina as days of driving rain reach a dangerous crescendo. (Oct. 4)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGMom and toddler lifted from flooded home to chopper | 00:46
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a mother and her 15-month-old child from a flooded house in Huger, South Carolina. The family’s neighborhood was severely flooded.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGBoats used to rescue stranded flood victims | 02:16
As historic rain continues to pound South Carolina, people were forced to evacuate their homes. Boats helped rescue those who were stranded.
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC Governor: Haven’t seen this much rain in 1,000 years | 01:07
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley says that parts of her state haven’t had this much rain in 1,000 years. So far, three people have died from weather-related incidents in South Carolina.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGRaw: S.C. Residents Rescued Amid Heavy Flooding | 01:44
Torrential rains soak residents across South Carolina, washing out roads and forcing locals to be rescued by fire department officials in boat. (Oct. 4)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGThis couple didn’t let a little rain spoil their big day | 01:15
Rain or shine, John and Judy Joye were determined to get married on the beach. The couple made the most of their soaked ceremony, even jumping in the ocean right after their vows.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGDozens rescued in flooded South Carolina | 01:46
After historic rainfall drenched parts of South Carolina, flash flooding stranded hundreds, forcing several rescue attempts. (Oct. 4)
AP
S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC resident: A dumpster was floating down flooded river | 02:45
As South Carolina continues to be hit by historic rainfall, curious residents can’t help but take a look outside. One witness describes seeing a dumpster floating down a nearby flooded river.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSouth Carolina floods ‘worse than you think’ | 01:10
Flood waters have swallowed cars, destroyed homes and devastated businesses in Columbia, South Carolina. Some stranded residents have had to be rescued by boat.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGHeavy rain causes flooding up and down East Coast | 01:08
Cities up and down the East Coast are flooded from heavy rain. The torrential rain comes as Hurricane Joaquin continues to move away from the U.S.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGDangerous floods turn South Carolina roads into rivers | 00:59
Heavy flooding across South Carolina trapped some people in their homes and forced others to abandon their cars in the high water.
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S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGFlood witness: I just can’t believe the power of water | 01:35
Some South Carolina residents were able to return to their homes after being evacuated only to find the damage the floodwaters caused.
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“Everything around us is completely flooded. It’s terrible,” Shinners told USA TODAY. “We are just hunkering down.”
Much of the East Coast has been saturated by rains that have lingered since Thursday. Power was knocked out to about 50,000 residences and businesses in South Carolina and Georgia as of Sunday afternoon.
“Major to localized catastrophic flash flooding along with possible landslides and mudslides in the higher elevations of South Carolina and Georgia remain an ongoing concern,” the National Weather Service warned.
Flood warnings also were issued for three Virginia counties. North Carolina also was dealing with flash flooding on some secondary roads, and some ferry services were canceled. But South Carolina was taking the brunt of the unrelenting storm.
Chris Morris is one of the lucky ones in his Charleston neighborhood. He said many neighbors have evacuated, but his family’s home is on a raised slab and hasn’t been breached. He lives on a golf course, but you would not know that by looking at it.
“We woke up this morning to about 10 inches of water surrounding the house,” Morris told USA TODAY. “And the golf course is completely under water.”
The weather service blamed a low pressure system that has stalled over the state since Thursday, combined with the outer edges of Hurricane Joaquin. The Category 2 hurricane, with sustained top winds of 105 mph, avoided a direct hit to the U.S. but did add fuel to rains and high wind along the coast. Joaquin was forecast to lash Bermuda late Sunday and Monday.
South Carolina emergency management officials counseled residents to “remain where you are if you are safely able to do so. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.”
In Columbia, officials said many residents were without drinking water because of water main breaks. Greater downtown Columbia and southeast Richland County were most affected. City officials said those affected should be prepared to be without potable water from the city system for three to four days. The city issued a boil water advisory for all of its 375,000 customers.
City fire officials said several dams had breached. WLTX-TV meteorologist Jim Gandy said the Village of Sandhill had received 11 inches of rain by 6 a.m. On I-95 in Clarendon County, a 32-mile stretch of road was closed. Parts of Interstate 77 and Interstate 20 also were covered in water.
Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins told WLTX-TV that the city has been inundated with rescue calls.
“We do need more resources,” Jenkins said. “People who can’t get out should call 9-1-1. Don’t give up, keep trying.”
Contributing: Greg Toppo, Doyle Rice, Associated Press
Lisa Britton, left, and her husband, Jody, right, leave their house on the Black River with the son, J.D., driving the boat, near Kingstree, S.C. All that’s visible of the house is the second floor, which is 22 feet off the ground. Their message on the roof, “In God we Trust,” was put there before the floodwaters came. Army National Guard Spl. John Stephens, left, gives J.E. Briggs, right, bottled water in Columbia, S.C. Water distribution remained a key problem across much of the state. In Columbia, as many as 40,000 homes lacked drinking water, and the rest of the city’s 375,000 customers were told to boil water before using it for drinking or cooking.
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