Columbia, S.C. Declares State of Emergency Due to Record-Breaking Rainfall

Columbia, S.C. Declares State of Emergency Amid Heavy Rainfall

Columbia, S.C. has found itself in a sticky situation as record-breaking rain showers swept across the Midlands this past Thursday. With some areas reporting totals exceeding 10 inches, Governor Henry McMaster had no choice but to declare a state of emergency at 8 p.m. that evening. The declaration aimed to mobilize resources and assistance for the hard-hit neighborhoods.

Rainfall Surpasses Expectations

As floodwaters rose, many locals expressed their frustration over the timing of the emergency declaration, suggesting it should’ve been made much earlier. Kim Stenson, the director of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), explained that this rain event caught forecasters off guard. Unlike recent hurricanes, which often come with a lot of advanced warnings, this unexpected deluge left many scrambling.

Stenson stated, “Reports that we got, predictions initially were under forecast for this particular event. We were expected to see around six to eight inches, which is generally manageable. But we ended up facing a much grimmer reality—places received 11, 12, 13, even 14 inches of rain!”

Assessing the Damage

By the early hours of Thursday, areas such as Orangeburg Airport and Congaree Park were already reaching the 6 to 8-inch mark. According to Stenson, the request for state assistance played a crucial role in deciding the need for an emergency declaration, especially with local authorities from Orangeburg and nearby areas reaching out due to flooding and washouts.

Once those requests were in, the Emergency Operations Center was activated to address the escalating crisis. Stenson mentioned that SCEMD is currently working on various initiatives, including providing clean water to areas like Neeses, where the water treatment plant was rendered inoperable.

A Year of Severe Weather

This rainfall marks yet another chapter in an already weather-volatile year for the Midlands. Along with the Bamberg tornado earlier in the season, this storm now marks the fourth significant weather event to hit the region this year, both of which led to federal disaster declarations. “We’ve had a lot of activity this year,” Stenson noted. “The weather service warned us that this hurricane season would be quite active, but it has exceeded our expectations.”

Over the past decade, South Carolina has faced around 12 significant weather events, and two of those this year have contributed to increasing the state’s financial burden from weather-related damages.

Financial Impacts and Future Preparedness

So, what do all these weather events cost the state? Stenson mentioned that assessment is ongoing between various departments but gave an eye-opening perspective. Hurricane Helene alone contributed to over half a billion dollars in damages, encompassing both federal and state assistance. As the state braces for the continuing hurricane season, the financial implications of these storms accumulate rapidly.

Help on the Way

For those impacted by this recent flooding, the Orangeburg Emergency Operations Center has opened a shelter at the Orangeburg City Gym located on 410 Broughton Street, offering a safe haven for those in need. Local authorities and various agencies are pulling together resources to ensure that everyone receives the assistance they require.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed and connected during this challenging time. With weather-related emergencies becoming all too common in recent years, community support and preparedness make all the difference. Together, South Carolinians can navigate through this tough weather season.