A thunderstorm that occurred over northern Colleton County on Wednesday night produced significant flooding along Ireland Creek on Thursday and Friday last week. Colleton County Fire-Rescue monitored the thunderstorm as it occurred and collaborated with the National Weather Service-Charleston (NWS-Chas) Office throughout the event. NWS-Chas advised a storm spotter on Burlington Road in the vicinity of Jefferies Hwy recorded 8.37 inches of rain in about four hours. That heavy rainfall created standing water on Jefferies Hwy in the vicinity of Cottonwood Lane and caused Ireland Creek to rise almost 4.5 feet in a short period of time. Additional rises were observed on Thursday morning which led to significant flooding by Thursday afternoon.
Barry McRoy, Colleton County Fire-Rescue Chief stated, “The National Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey recently installed a water level gauge on the Ireland Creek bridge. Unfortunately, because it is brand new, we do not have any experience with what gauge levels correspond to actual observations. Fire-Rescue personnel monitored the event very closely and continually transmitted data and pictures to the weather service office. This will help identify action thresholds for future flooding events.”
At 7:00 AM on Thursday morning, no flooding was observed. However, by 11:00 AM, Ireland Creek was out of its banks and minor flooding was occurring. By 12:45 PM on Thursday, water had entered the Ivanhoe Apartments, half way across the Ivanhoe Shopping Center parking lot and several roads were impassable. SCDOT and Walterboro Police Department were quick to respond and set up barricades to prevent motorists from entering the flood waters. The water level peaked Thursday afternoon around 6:30 PM at a recorded level of 10.51 feet. Water just reached the bottom of several porches in the apartment complex, and the curbs at Foodland, and Ivanhoe Shopping Center.
Chief McRoy stated, “Thankfully there were no injuries, no rescues were needed, and the water dropped below flood levels by mid-afternoon on Friday. Our personnel continued to monitor the gauge and observations throughout the weekend. The weather service advised that our personnel provided them with excellent information. It is our hope that through our partnership with the weather service, we can establish alert criteria for the area, if flooding occurs in the future.”
Captain Campbell added, “It is essential that residents and businesses in the area of Ireland Creek sign up for Code RED alerts. They can do that by going to www.colletonfire.com/codered. Not only are these alerts important for those in the area of Ireland Creek, but all Colleton citizens should register for these alerts. In the event of flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, law enforcement activity, or any multitude of hazards, these alerts can give you the advance notice you need to better protect yourself and your family.”
