Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the rain and flooding in South Carolina. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the 17 South Carolinians who have died, the hundreds injured and the thousands displaced, without water or power.
Here are a few tips to keep safe after the flood:
- Please remember that even 12 inches of water may be enough to carry your car away.
- Please do not remove road barriers, since others may not be aware of the dangers ahead – even if you think “you can make it” through the water.
- Water may be deeper than you think; there’s often no way to tell what’s happening under the surface.
- Watch for cracked or crumbling roads, new potholes and falling debris. Familiar roads may be completely different (and less safe) after the flood.
- Over 1,843 Traffic Collisions are directly a result of the flood, with perhaps hundreds or thousands more to come.
- 13 Dams have failed. 409 roads are closed as of Noon Oct 7th, with 141 bridges still closed.
Failing Dams and Overflowing Rivers: Increased Danger Moving Downstream to Lowcountry
Extreme weather and record rainfall in South Carolina have resulted in mass flooding throughout the state. While the rains have stopped, thirteen dam failures have left entire neighborhoods destroyed, with more in jeopardy as floodwaters move downstream.
Governor Nikki Haley said on Tuesday, Oct 8, 2015, that emergency officials fear the overflowing rivers of the Midlands may lead to additional flooding in the Lowcountry. Light swift water rescue teams and 11 aircraft, 600 National Guardsmen had been deployed to assist in rescues and evacuations, but the rescue efforts are not done, even as the sunshine returns to South Carolina. The State plans to increase its deployment of SC National Guardsman to 5,000.
Emergency personnel have kept a close watch on the conditions of the Santee, Lynches, Black Waccamaw, and Edisto rivers. As floodwaters flow downstream, everyone needs to be on alert and prepared for possible evacuations in the Florence, Horry, Marlboro and Richland counties. So far, over 175 water rescues have been performed by emergency workers to assist people trapped by floodwaters. At least seven people have drowned.
The 1,000-Year Storm: Driving Dangers and Fatalities
A storm of this magnitude has been described as having a one in one thousand chance of occurring in a given year.
In the wake of this crisis, drivers are warned to be extra cautious, and residents are urged to stay off roads if at all possible. Gov. Haley has reiterated that it is extremely important for motorists not to attempt to remove or drive around road barricades. The removal of barricades puts other people at risk of getting into a dangerous situation in the flooded terrain.
Throughout the state, a total of 163 bridges and more than 500 roads have been closed, and over 1,843 accidents have been reported. At least four people have lost their lives in traffic accidents in South Carolina, and two more have died in North Carolina.
Currently, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has 1,400 people inspecting road conditions throughout the state. At least 1,300 National Guard troops have responded to the state of emergency, with 5,000 South Carolina National Guard troops. There have been billions of dollars worth of damages, and countless injuries and displacements. We have lost fellow South Carolinians. Please keep yourself and your families safe.
More details will be available as the story unfolds via local and national news outlets. To read more about this story, please click here and here.
Need Money or Assistance? Apply Here:
If you need help or assistance due to the flood, please contact FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) at this website, which allows you to apply for benefits: http://disasterassistance.gov/
George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers urges drivers to exercise caution on the road and stay safe as these dangerous conditions continue.