Historic Flooding in South Carolina

Looking at the pictures, videos, storm reports and news updates of the flooding that has taken place in parts of South Carolina just have me stunned Sunday night!  Nearly 24", yes - two feet - of rain has fallen near Charleston, SC since last Thursday.  Seven fatalities have been reported in North and South Carolina since the flooding began.  Mayday reports heard over the scanner, reports of many water rescues, people trapped in their attics due to flooding, dams breaking due to the heavy rain - it's been an absolute catastrophic flooding event the past several days.

The image to the left is from the Columbia, SC National Weather Service office.  It is showing the radar estimated rainfall totals since 7pm Friday to 7pm Sunday night.  Do you see the white coloring on the graphic?  That is radar estimated rainfall close to 20" of rain! 

The current radar picture continues to show bands of heavy rain over North and South Carolina, but within the next 24 to 36 hours the heavy rain will be ending as the cut-off low in the southeast moves offshore.

As I follow the coverage Sunday night, I'm amazed and saddened by the videos and pictures I continue to see of people trying to drive through flooded roadways, only to find themselves in need of rescue after they become trapped. 

It's a very simple message: "Turn Around, Don't Drowned".  It's a message that Meteorologists all across the country try to convey every time flooding becomes a threat.  But yet, we continue to see people walk, play and drive through flooded streets.  And what's worse, media continues to put their own reporters in those flooded streets!  To me, that's a practice that needs to STOP!  The other night I saw a reporter driving through a flooded road on national TV, and my jaw about hit the floor.

Here's why it is so important to stay away from flooded roadways, no matter how shallow the water may be.

More deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard.  Even tornadoes!  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of all flooded-related deaths occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters.  Second to that are deaths that occur when someone tries to walk in or near flood waters.  I believe we often times forget just how much force and power water can actually have.  With tornadoes or hurricanes, we can see the destruction that immediately follows.  We see the danger.  But many of us think that with just a little water over the road, we'll be fine if we try to cross.

It only takes 6 inches of water to knock an adult off their feet.  Only 12 inches of rushing water to sweep away a small car.  And almost 2 feet of water can carry away most vehicles.  You may enter into the flooded roadway and everything is fine.  But halfway up the road, there could be debris blocking your path, or part of the road is washed away and you're not able to see that.  That's why it's so important to just look for another route.  Don't drive around barricades that may be up because you think you'll be safe.  They're there for a reason.  Because once you get stuck, not only are you putting your life at risk, but those that now have to rescue you.

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