Cayce Residents Urged to Evacuate as Floodwaters Rise Due to Hurricane Helene

Cayce Residents Urged to Evacuate as Floodwaters Rise

In Cayce, South Carolina, officials are taking rapid action as heavy rains from Hurricane Helene continue to swell the Congaree River. As the river’s waters creep ever higher, the mayor is pleading with residents, especially those living in the Riverland Park neighborhood, to consider evacuating.

Flood Warnings and Evacuations

Mayor Elise Partin delivered an urgent message in a video posted online. Standing in front of a rapidly rising river, she explained that the Congaree River reached over 28 feet as of 3:45 PM Sunday, with forecasts predicting it would crest at 31 feet by 2 PM on Monday. The river is already above the moderate flood stage of 24 feet and is approaching the major flood stage of 30 feet.

“Our team is going door to door as we speak,” Mayor Partin said. “Water levels are rising quickly. Voluntary evacuations are the only way that we can keep you safe.” She noted that floodwaters are expected to surpass levels seen during the devastating floods of 2015. “The boat landing and riverwalk are already all under water,” she added, encouraging residents to evacuate sooner rather than later.

Community Responses

As emergency personnel knock on doors, they’re met with mixed reactions. One resident, Chris Gonzalez, expressed skepticism, asking, “Is it really like you gonna move me out?” Emergency responders encouraged him to take the warnings seriously, stating it would be too dangerous if he stayed.

Emotions ran high for the Este family, who have a harrowing history with floods. Amanda Este burst into tears as she recalled her previous experience during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “I don’t want to go through that again. I lost everything,” she shared, while her sister, Tiffany, voiced concern about their four pets, highlighting that they felt trapped. “With four pets, we can’t leave,” she said, noting that many accommodations wouldn’t accept larger animals.

Historic Comparison and Preparations

The specter of past flooding looms large over Cayce residents; the Congaree River crested at 32 feet during the historic “1,000-year flood” that devastated much of Columbia in 2015, flooding around 50 homes in Riverland Park. Local reports indicated water levels rose significantly when floodgates at the Lake Murray dam were opened.

Dominion Energy is closely monitoring the situation. They opened one spill gate at the dam last Friday to manage water levels as one of their units is down for scheduled maintenance. A spokesperson explained that current flows through the dam are within normal limits, but that could change depending on further storm impacts.

Looking Ahead

Much of the community’s fate hinges on water levels upstream. Bill Stangler, a Congaree Riverkeeper, mentioned that the upper Broad River has already crested, with the Saluda River’s capacity being a key factor going forward. “The real question is how much more capacity they have in Lake Murray,” Stangler explained, emphasizing that this could be a “tight call” for the coming hours.

As the river continues to rise, the impact is expected not only in Cayce but in neighboring areas. “The Broad is seeing higher flooding levels than 2015,” Stangler reported, warning residents along the river and beyond to stay alert.

Safety First

Mayor Tem Miles announced via Facebook that while the state has no current plans to close major bridges along Interstate 126, flooding has already prompted the closure of 12th Street Extension in nearby Lexington County. “It is incredibly dangerous on the river right now, and our personnel can’t safely respond if something goes wrong,” he stated, highlighting efforts to keep people off the waterways.

As the community bands together amid these urgent challenges, everyone’s safety remains the top priority. The message is clear—if you live in the flood-prone areas, heed the warnings and evacuate while there’s still time.