The State of South Carolina and the Lowcountry Region experienced historic flooding as the result of Hurricane Debby, which skirted the gulf coast of Florida before making landfall in the bend, then crossing into Georgia. The storm entered the Atlantic, skirting the Georgia and South Carolina coasts during the weekend. The slow moving storm brought an abundance of rainfall to the State, as well as tornadoes and wind damage. The record setting rainfall drenched the State causing a historic flooding event. The water filled swamps, rivers and streams between Georgia and North Carolina. After the storm passed, the inland water began moving to the coast, swelling streams and rivers which spilled over into roadways, homes and businesses. Fire-Rescue's Emergency Management Division activated the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Saturday, running operations through Thursday. Sand bags were provided to Edisto Beach and citizens of the mainland, with many ESF partners collaborating to coordinate efforts to serve the public and meet Public Safety needs. Many power crews, SCDOT, County Public Works crews and municipal crews worked tirelessly around the cloak to restore power, keep roadways open and clear drainage. Additional Law Enforcement and Fire-Rescue personnel worked during the event. Many support crews from outside agencies were brought in to assist. State EMD personnel were in the County EOC to assist as well. Citizens were urged to stay off of the roadways and leave low lying areas. Multiple roadways were closed due to flooding or damaged/washed out sections. Two earthen dams broke empting two small lakes. The County's only high risk dam, the McGrady Dam on Edward Road at Cane Branch Road spilled over the banks flooding both neighboring roads, but the dam held, despite the large influx of water.
As of Thursday evening, Colleton County had documented 301 reports of damage (trees down, flooded roadways, washouts, etc.). Although a total of 189 road closures have been documented throughout the event, there are currently only 17 roads that remained closed. There were 68 notable activities noted. The McGrady Dam on Cane Branch Road remains stable. There was an unregulated dam/pond downstream from the McGrady Dam that failed on Tuesday, but it affected no homes or infrastructure. There was one home destroyed at Edisto Beach with several others damaged. Nine homes in the Walterboro area reported minor damage and two businesses reported damage.
Damage Assessments are ongoing, but we have not received notification of any additional damaged buildings. Damage assessments will be ongoing next week, especially along the Edisto River. Although a few members of the Ivanhoe Apartments adjacent to Ireland Creek were assisted to higher ground, there are no reports of rescues, injuries, or fatalities related to the storm, except those at Edisto following the tornadoes.
