Columbia Tackles Flooding and Social Media Misinformation Amid Hurricane Helene

Columbia Responds to Flooding and Social Media Rumors

COLUMBIA — October 3, 2024

As the Congaree River started to rise due to the relentless rains from Hurricane Helene, Columbia found itself wading through not just floodwaters, but waves of misinformation as well. With a few passing clouds overhead and a low of 64F, the city faced a difficult situation. For a while, it felt like the real storm was the flurry of anxiety-inducing rumors swirling through social media.

Let’s take a closer look at the scene: At a press conference on September 30, City Manager Teresa Wilson calmly addressed reporters as urgent calls from anxious residents flooded in. Many were concerned about the safety of the city’s drinking water, fearing the rising river could jeopardize their supply. One social media poster wrote, “Just got done filling my bathtubs with water,” urging others to rush for bottled water. This panic spread quickly through local Facebook groups, leaving grocery store shelves empty and people feeling uneasy.

The roots of this **misinformation** stretch back to a traumatic experience in 2015 when a catastrophic flood resulted in serious damage to the Columbia canal, which has always been the city’s main supplier of water. Back then, a boil water advisory left nearly 400,000 residents scrambling for clean water. It’s easy to see why the memories of that disaster might have caused a ripple of fear among today’s residents.

However, experts, including Columbia Water director Clint Shealy, were quick to extinguish these rumors. They provided clear assurances that, despite the storm, the city’s water treatment plant was in no danger. “The rumors couldn’t be further from the truth,” Shealy noted in the conference. He explained that the city was well-prepared compared to 2015 and that this time, they had better control over conditions.

Even as officials worked to de-escalate the situation, the **misinformation** continued to circulate. During the press event, there was another rumor floating around—this one claimed that the city’s wastewater treatment plant was being evacuated due to the floodwaters. Wilson had to address this directly, pointing out the inaccuracies in the claims. “One in particular that I continue to get: ‘I just got a text from a friend who works at Congaree wastewater plant’ — which is not what it’s called actually,” she said.

To further combat these rumors, the city took proactive measures by posting accurate information across all social media platforms. Despite their best efforts, it was a frustrating experience for media relations director Justin Stevens, who expressed the wish that their time could be spent doing more productive tasks rather than damage control. “It’s just a headache,” he lamented.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott even encouraged calmness during the press conference. Instead of clashing at gas stations or fighting over the last loaf of bread, he reminded everyone not to panic. In a surprising twist added to the events of the day, Dominion Energy President Keller Kissam dispelled another rumor. He corrected claims that workers were deployed to areas in Florida affected by the storm, stating all hands were on deck to restore power right here in South Carolina.

According to Darren Linvill, a professor at Clemson University who studies social media disinformation, this situation isn’t unique to Columbia. Such rumors pop up in these “information voids” following emergencies. People often rush to share any snippet of information, even if its truthfulness is shaky, as they crave connection during times of uncertainty.

As the situation unfolded, Shealy lightened the mood at a City Council meeting on October 1. In jest, he proclaimed, “Our water is safe, we are providing service to our customers,” which drew laughter from the council members and, perhaps for a brief moment, put everyone’s minds at ease.

In the face of challenges wrought not only by nature but by the rampant spread of misinformation, Columbia is emerging with lessons learned. The city’s story serves as a reminder: while rising waters may present an immediate danger, the power of accurate information remains key to a peaceful community.