"Head above water"... thus far in S. Carolina.!

[50nstillhifi]

Suppose all of you folllowing the news; the Carolinas are "slap full".. of water and now more rain!

People here are resilient but I fear this is the straw that will break the camel's back. Its October and winter is coming... not a good mix for persons having lost a home and their means of transportation.

Will try and pass on the local news and hopes and fears for what is now a challenged infrastructure.

Lets pray for the decision makers and all those depending on their smarts to resolve what looks to be a long term challenge.!

 

[Hyperion]

I hadn't heard about that, flooding is unpleasant and devastating.

Best wishes to you and all those caught up in it's effects.

 

[cartop]

My thoughts go out to you and I hope everything turns out alright. My son lives in Charlotte NC and luckily for him they didn't get it as bad as people in SC. Keep your chin up and good luck.

 

[50nstillhifi]

Thank you Hyperion and Cartop... !

Unfortunately... the rain and weather is "opening up" here..this morning.

There are NWS flash flood warnings going off and some of the local dams that were compromised earlier are in danger. I am truly worried about our brothers and sisters at lower ground that did not heed earlier warnings to evacuate. Also there are a multitude of streams and creeks that can top rather easily.

I live near a lake and am going to check on its level now.

The situation is not good and confidence is not high!

 

[Tom Brennan]

Raining again? I'm heading up to Ninety Six tomorrow for camping at Lake Greenwood State Park, on the phone 2 days ago a ranger told me the park is in fine shape with no threat. It appears from the South Carolina 511 site that I-95 is open to I-26 and I-26 is open west. If I need to avoid eastern SC I can go up through Augusta. What do you Carolinans think?

 

[50nstillhifi]

O... k... So first news reports have it that more water did in fact build up in the downtown areas of Columbia S.C..!

There are local flood alerts and persons are taking action to safeguard persons and property... however more rain is expected through out the day so everyone is to remain vigilant.

There are crews working to maintain the downtown Water Plant, it was effected by a couple of breaks. They still on station although there is rain falling and lightning as well... you gotta take your hats off to them!

I believe everyone here is "rain-shocked"...Last measure, 1 inch in 15 minutes...?!

 

[50nstillhifi]

Raining again? I'm heading up to Ninety Six tomorrow for camping at Lake Greenwood State Park, on the phone 2 days ago a ranger told me the park is in fine shape with no threat. It appears from the South Carolina 511 site that I-95 is open to I-26 and I-26 is open west. If I need to avoid eastern SC I can go up through Augusta. What do you Carolinans think?

I am familiar with that area.... if you make it to I26west at Harbison Boulevard... you will probably have a clear route to your exit.. I believe in Newberry County.

However if traveling via I20 be prepared for slow downs in and around the merger, I20 and I26 west. There have been reroutes in this area due to the bridges and connections that pass over the Congaree and Broad Rivers. These are the very locations of flooding and dam challenges.

If memory serves correct and you can get to Route 34, this may be a positive alternate.

However, be strongly advised.. the local road closures are hour-to-hour. If you are traveling in a camper with trailer, some of these unseen turn arounds can be a bit much and put you in a heading opposite of your destination. Be prepared for changes and take along a good map!

 

[Tom Brennan]

I am familiar with that area.... if you make it to I26west at Harbison Boulevard... you will probably have a clear route to your exit.. I believe in Newberry County.

However if traveling via I20 be prepared for slow downs in and around the merger, I20 and I26 west. There have been reroutes in this area due to the bridges and connections that pass over the Congaree and Broad Rivers. These are the very locations of flooding and dam challenges...

Thanks. My easiest route is I95 to I26 and then west past Columbia to an exit that leads to Ninety Six. My alternative is to turn west on I16 near Savannah to US-25 which goes north up through Statesboro and Augusta right up to Greenwood. This alternative keeps me farther west and (presumably) in higher country.

Anyway, I'll check the South Carolina 511 site in the morning and see what's up. If things are too bad I'll cancel my campground reservations in the Carolinas and instead head west, Louisiana way maybe.

Good luck.

 

[50nstillhifi]

Thanks. My easiest route is I95 to I26 and then west past Columbia to an exit that leads to Ninety Six. My alternative is to turn west on I16 near Savannah to US-25 which goes north up through Statesboro and Augusta right up to Greenwood. This alternative keeps me farther west and (presumably) in higher country.

Anyway, I'll check the South Carolina 511 site in the morning and see what's up. If things are too bad I'll cancel my campground reservations in the Carolinas and instead head west, Louisiana way maybe.

Good luck.

Not trying to sound as a "doom-sayer".... but conditions here are NOT good.

Leaving your visit for another time would not be unreasonable nor without merit... I would exercise the best judgment and think of safety first!

By the way... in some stretches, I95 is closed due to bridge safety or flood conditions. Do be safe and travel with a high degree of patience.

 

[harman/kardon]

I wish I could send some of this rain to sunny sunny sunny California!

Folks in the regions of flooding - take care!!!

 

[50nstillhifi]

I wish I could send some of this rain to sunny sunny sunny California!

Folks in the regions of flooding - take care!!!

Yes...its rather challenging where rain falls and its not really needed and yet the areas suffering with a shortage go untouched. Given the eastern coasts see the brunt of patterns developing as tropical storms and then hurricanes... I expect we will be seeing more increases the remainder of the year. Its also said El Nino is effecting jet streams although I'm not sure this was the case here recently.

Adding insult to injury, is the overall lack of planning and buillding needed to maintain the infrastructure. Here in the lower Carolinas... much of it is "vintage" and probably subject to failure given the right weather circumstances. It seemed "our time" had arrived.

Needless to say, this is going to make for some unusual conditions... since school, interstate commerce, and people just getting to and fro will upswing this week coming. Hoping all the citizens of our fair state have an ample amount of patience... it will be needed as much as the sunshine!

 

[Hoffius]

Hang in there man!
It is indeed a big mess. I heard on the news last week one small town in SC got over 21 inches in 24 hours. The record was 14 I believe.
Stay safe, hopefully no more rain anytime soon.

 

[Tom Brennan]

I made it up to Ninety Six and Lake Greenwood with no problems. The park is gorgeous. The South Carolina highway department website is first rate and was much help.

 

[50nstillhifi]

I made it up to Ninety Six and Lake Greenwood with no problems. The park is gorgeous. The South Carolina highway department website is first rate and was much help.

Excellent.... was wondering how you made out and am glad you did not run into water issues.

In the midlands, we still getting flood alerts and there is a curfew, 12 midnight to 6 a.m.

Glad Newberry County is sound... but watch the back roads, they did report bridge closures.