News Summary
Columbia, SC is preparing for Hurricane Helene, which is predicted to bring heavy rain and strong winds this week. Residents are advised to take precautions, including evacuations in low-lying areas. Despite the storm, the city recently celebrated the Tartan Day South Festival, showcasing Celtic culture. City officials are working to ensure community safety as they monitor river levels and assist residents impacted by the weather. The forecast indicates a high chance of rain throughout the day and a potential rise in river levels.
Your Weather Update from Columbia, SC
Get ready, Columbia! The Midlands of South Carolina is bracing itself for a fair bit of weather excitement as Hurricane Helene makes its presence felt this week. Starting off with a vibrant morning, we’re gearing up for some rain showers, ramping up to possible thundershowers as we roll into the afternoon. With a high of around 74°F, it’s turning out to be quite the day full of wet wonder.
A Rainy Day Forecast
Rainfall is expected to be heavy at times throughout the day, so if you’re stepping out, don’t forget your umbrella! Winds will be pushing in from the southwest at about 10 to 20 mph, contributing to an exciting weather scene with a solid 100% chance of rain. As the day winds down, we can expect early evening rain, then clouds will begin to decrease overnight, leading to a relaxed low temperature of around 50°F and a gentle evening breeze from the west-northwest at about 5 to 10 mph, with an 80% chance of remaining rain.
Cultural Highlights Amidst the Storm
Despite the looming storm, the Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center in Cayce just wrapped up its 10th annual Tartan Day South Festival with great enthusiasm! This vibrant four-day celebration of Celtic culture ran from Thursday to Sunday, packed with exciting attractions including log and bell tossing, musical performances, and a fantastic British car show displaying numerous vehicles from the UK. The festival also had a heartwarming purpose, providing support to the nonprofit River Alliance, which works tirelessly to promote awareness for the Broad, Saluda, and Congaree Rivers.
Hurricane Helene Approaches
Now, with Hurricane Helene gaining strength and heading towards South Carolina, it’s time for citizens to stay alert and informed. This isn’t Helene’s first time causing issues; in previous instances, the hurricane was linked to at least 27 fatalities and extensive flooding across the state, leaving many without power as well. Across the nation, the storm has been linked to a tragic 128 deaths, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in the last half-century.
Columbia on Alert
As Helene approaches, the city of Columbia is closely monitoring local rivers, especially given the expected heavy rainfall. Various counties, including Aiken, Anderson, and Lexington, have been granted federal disaster declarations to aid recovery efforts and provide assistance. In low-lying areas such as the Riverland Park neighborhood, Cayce officials are actively addressing rising water levels, advising over 100 residents to voluntarily evacuate as a precaution.
Preparation and Community Support
City officials have been proactive in ensuring community safety; so far, drinking water systems are functioning normally with no anticipated service outages linked to flooding. Thankfully, there are no boil water advisories currently in effect, meaning residents can stay hydrated without worries. However, electricity has been spotty, with about 235 households in Cayce reported without power due to storm-related issues, as city crews respond to over 200 calls regarding downed trees.
Future Predictions
The Congaree River is expected to rise to around 30.5 feet but thankfully remains below the infamous levels seen during the historic floods of 2015. With ongoing federal assistance including grants for housing and loans for uninsured property losses, the community is advised to stay safe and informed. Those in flood-prone areas are urged to avoid risky spots, and boat ramps along the Congaree and Broad rivers have now been temporarily closed due to dangerously high water levels.
Stay Informed
As we navigate through this weather event, the City of Cayce is encouraging residents to remain diligent, stay informed, and adhere to evacuation guidelines as necessary. Let’s look out for one another, Columbia, and hope for a smooth transition as we weather through Helene together!
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Additional Resources
- The State: Weather News
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene (2018)
- WLTX: South Carolina River Flood Stage
- Google Search: Hurricane Helene impacts
- Post and Courier: Hurricane Helene Flooding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Helene
- WIS TV: Tropical Storm Debby Closures
- Google News: Hurricane Helene updates
