South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency to help respond to flooding in the eastern Midlands and portions of the Lowcountry.
The executive order activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and supplements ongoing and possible future state response efforts.
“Team South Carolina has been responding to the impacts of flooding and subsequent road closures in portions of the state throughout the day,” McMaster said in a statement. “The State of Emergency will ensure that our response teams have every tool at their disposal to continue their efforts.”
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 6, interactions between a front stalled across the southeastern region of the United States and deep tropical moisture produced periods of substantial and sustained rainfall in certain portions of the state. It caused and continues to cause dangerous conditions, including flash flooding and riverine flooding.
The National Weather Service said widespread rainfall of 7 to 10 inches across the eastern Midlands region has been reported. Some areas received up to 15 inches.
River flooding will continue along portions of the Edisto River into next week. However, the Palmetto State is not expected to see significant rainfall totals over the next few days.
Residents are urged to avoid driving in impacted areas, especially at night, and to never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades.