Colleton County Fire-Rescue

11/06/2024

	06-13/November/2024 - Flooding Event On 06 and 07 November, Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties, north of Colleton, were inundated with heavy rains, receiving 12-14 inches over a few hours. The rains caused widespread damage resulting in 150 roads damaged, road closures, including portions of I-26, several dam failures and many heavily flooding communities including the City of Orangeburg. The North Fork Edisto River gauge set a new record of 15.34 feet, the highest recorded since 1928. The Edisto River gauge at Whetstones Crossroads also set a new high record of 10.64 feet. Orangeburg County requested mutual aid from several counties due to blocked roadways. Colleton County Fire-Rescue sent an ambulance to assist for two and half days.  Colleton County began preparing for expected flooding along the Edisto River early as the flood waters began moving south. Sheriff's Office personnel and Fire-Rescue established a forward Command Post at Fire Station # 36 on Augusta Hwy (SC Hwy 61) near Gruber's Crossroads. On Sunday morning 10-November, 9-1-1 received a request from a flooded resident on Biscayne Ct. near the Springtown Community (Incident # 24-09007). The access roads were blocked by high waters. Firefighter-Paramedics used a high water vehicle to reach the flooded home and rescued the residents as well as several canines. Some additional people were rescued as crews left the first incident. All those rescued and the animals were brought to safety on higher ground at Augusta Hwy.  Sheriff's Deputies, DNR, SCDOT and Fire-Rescue personnel patrolled area roads to assist residents. DOT and County Public Works Crews closed several roads along the Edisto River corridor. The roads were inaccessible due to high swift waters. Fire-Rescue had opened the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and began messaging residents and travelers to evacuate the low-lying areas and warning of the rising waters. Operations were coordinated with Dorchester County on the north side of the Edisto River.
	A second water rescue was performed later in the evening off of Cannon Road. High swift waters had driven a family with several dogs from their home, but their boat suffered mechanical problems. Firefighter-Paramedics were not able to use the highwater vehicle due to the depth of the water, but were eventually able to reach the stranded people using a boat. The people, dogs and six puppies were safely brought to higher ground on Cannon Road.  Multiple units. National Guard, DNR, Sheriff's Office & Fire-Rescue. Asst. Chief Marty Stallings served as Incident Commander.

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