News Summary
Central South Carolina and parts of Georgia are currently facing flood advisories due to heavy rainfall leading to significant flooding in several counties. With additional rain expected, officials are urging residents to avoid driving on flooded roads. Doppler radar indicates substantial rainfall accumulation, prompting both Flash Flood and Flood Watches across the affected regions. Authorities emphasize safety measures to mitigate risks as communities deal with ongoing flooding threats.
Columbia, South Carolina – Multiple counties in central South Carolina and parts of Georgia are currently under flood advisories and warnings due to heavy rainfall that has already resulted in flooding in several areas. A Flood Advisory is in effect until 10:15 AM EDT today, impacting counties such as Edgefield, Newberry, and Saluda.
As of 7:56 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated that between 1 and 2.5 inches of rain had already fallen, with an additional 1 to 2 inches expected throughout the morning. The forecast predicts that this rainfall will lead to minor flooding, particularly in locations like Newberry, Edgefield, Saluda, Whitmire, and Prosperity. Facilities such as Newberry College and Northside Fire Station Main are also being monitored for potential flooding.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has advised residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and to avoid driving on flooded roads. They remind residents of the precautionary phrase, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” highlighting the dangers associated with flooded roadways. A significant stretch of Interstate 26, specifically between mile markers 62 and 79, is included in this advisory.
Further complicating matters, a Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for Central McCormick County until 9:30 AM EDT. This warning follows reports of rainfall accumulation between 3 to 4.5 inches in the area, with additional rain still anticipated. Flash flooding is either ongoing or expected to start shortly, posing risks to small creeks, urban areas, and transportation routes. Specific locations in McCormick County, including McCormick and McCormick County Airport, are particularly vulnerable to flooding.
In conjunction with these advisories, a Flood Watch is also in effect across central Georgia and surrounding regions through this evening. Projections indicate potential rainfall amounts could reach an additional 1 to 3 inches. Prior rainfall totals have shown widespread accumulation ranging from 1 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts potentially reaching as high as 5 or 6 inches.
The NWS warns that excessive runoff from the expected rainfall may lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and urbanized areas, exacerbating the risk to the local population. It is important to note that most flooding-related fatalities occur in vehicles during such weather events. Therefore, drivers are strongly encouraged to follow safety measures and to not attempt to traverse flooded roadways.
To minimize confusion in public understanding of flood alerts, the NWS has recently implemented changes to how these alerts are issued. This update introduces a new classification known as the Base Flash Flood Warning for lower-impact flooding events, aiming to improve clarity and awareness about varying levels of flood risks. This change is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that residents remain informed and prepared for the severe weather conditions.
Authorities are urging community members to remain aware of their surroundings and to report any incidents of flooding to the Columbia NWS office as it is safe to do so. The threat of flooding remains significant, and consistent monitoring of weather updates is highly recommended as rainfall continues across the region.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Fox Weather
- Google Search: Flash Floods
- Count on 2
- Google Scholar: Flood Warnings
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- ABC News 4
- Google News: Flooding in South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
