NEWS, PHOTOS: Flooding continues across S.C. coast

Flood waters covered these mailboxes along Happiness Lane in Colleton County on the Edisto River near Givhans Ferry. Photo courtesy Meagan Chaplin, Walterboro, S.C. — Flood waters covered these mailboxes along Happiness Lane in Colleton County on the Edisto River near Givhans Ferry. *Photo courtesy Meagan Chaplin, Walterboro, S.C.*

Originally published 10/8/15; updated 10/9/15

By Andy Brack | Rivers along coastal South Carolina remain at dangerously-high levels well above flood stage as trillions of gallons of water make their way toward the ocean, but most appear to have reached crests, according to National Weather Service data.

Disaster assistance recovery centers are open in Columbia at the Irmo Branch library (6251 St. Andrews Road, Columbia) and in Lexington at the main library ( 5440 Augusta Road).

For information on disaster assistance, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.

The flooding Edisto River near U.S. Highway 17 is just feet from the bottom of a railroad bridge. The River was more than six feet above flood level today. Photo by Andy Brack. — The flooding Edisto River near U.S. Highway 17 on Thursday was just feet from the bottom of a railroad bridge. The River was more than six feet above flood level today. *Photo by Andy Brack.*

Water continued to rise on the Santee River. At 11 a.m. today, the Santee River near Jamestown was at 20.19 feet, just over double of flood stage. The river is expected to crest at 22.8 feet Sunday morning.

Also rising is the Little Pee Dee River near Gallivants Ferry. Gauges recorded the river at 8.85 feet today at 11 a.m., just under the 9-foot flood stage. The river is expected to crest Sunday night at 9.4 feet.

Meanwhile, water levels appeared to be dropping at several still-flooded coastal rivers:

Edisto: The river at Givhans Ferry on the Dorchester-Colleton county line was just over 15.9 feet at 10 a.m. today. Originally projected to crest Saturday at 16.4 feet, projections show it may have crested yesterday at 16.06 feet. Flood level is 10 feet. A major flood is considered to be water at 15 feet. The river is not expected to drop below 15 feet until Tuesday.

Pee Dee: The river at Pee Dee was 22.7 feet today at 11 a.m., just under Thursday night’s crest of 22.8 feet Flood state is 19 feet, which the river is expected to return to by Wednesday.

Congaree: South of Columbia near the Carolina Eastman plant, the Congaree River, which was 11.5 feet above flood level on Monday, had dropped to 114.9 feet by today, just under flood stage, which is 115 feet.

Waccamaw: Near Conway, the river was at 16 feet, just under the 16.1 foot crest on Thursday. The record is 17.8 feet. Anything over 11 feet is considered a flood.

Black River: The river crested at 22.65 feet Tuesday in Kingstree. Today, it’s at 17.3 feet. Flood stage is considered 12 feet, which is where the river is expected to be Monday.

Lynches River: The river, more than five feet above the 14-foot flood stage at Effingham on Tuesday, was at 16.4 feet at 10 a.m. today. It is expected to drop below flood stage by Tuesday.

On Thursday afternoon, Charleston County leaders this afternoon asked people who live near the Edisto and Santee rivers to evacuate due to rising waters.

“The areas likely to be impacted by the Edisto River include but are not limited to Parkers Ferry Road in Adams Run, Highway 17 near the Charleston/Colleton County line, portions of Jacksonboro,” according to a news release. “The likely impacted areas of the Santee River include South Santee and Germantown. The severity of the flooding will likely vary from one location to another.”

The following Columbia-area photos came from drone footage shot Tuesday by Nelson Aerial Pros. We appreciate the company’s permission to republish: