Tropical Storm Debby Poses River Flooding Risk to SC Midlands

The threat of river flooding looms over several inland areas in South Carolina as Tropical Storm Debby tracks inland, with multiple rivers forecasted to flood in the coming days due to heavy rainfall. The extent of the danger will significantly depend on the storm’s trajectory and its duration over the Palmetto State.

Forecasting The Threat

Leonard Vaughan, the service hydrologist at the National Weather Service’s Columbia office, remarked that the Southeast River Forecast Service is predicting minor flooding for regions such as the Congaree River south of Columbia, in Lower Richland, and the Congaree National Park to peak around Aug 7. Minor flooding is also expected east of Florence on the Pee Dee River, the Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, and the Lumber River near Nichols. Forecasts also indicate that the Waccamaw River near Conway might rise to a similar level.

Comparatively, moderate flooding likelihood on the Black Creek near Quinby and Kingstree, the Lynches River near Effingham, the Savannah River near Jasper County, and the Edisto River near Givhans Ferry could escalate to higher levels later in the week around Aug. 9.

Preparing For Damage

In light of the predicted conditions, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services has begun advising dam owners to clear spillways and check if water levels needed to be lowered to accommodate the expected rainfall since Aug. 4. Most significantly, Dominion Energy initiated lowering water levels in Lake Murray by opening one of its spill gates.

However, the coastal Lowcountry is still expected to bear the brunt of Tropical Storm Debby. “If we just get the rain that they’re forecasting, hopefully things won’t be too crazy,” Vaughan mentioned, shedding some hope for the Columbia area.

Invoking Memories of the 2015 Crisis

The impending situation invariably reminds the citizens of the 2015 floods that led to the failure of 36 dams across the state, breached Columbia’s riverside canal, and necessitated open floodgates at the Lake Murray dam for the first time since 1969.

Since then, most of the Columbia-area dams have been repaired, including the Gibson Pond Dam on Twelve Mile Creek, which, along with others, led to flooding in the town of Lexington. On the other hand, the Columbia Canal, which also suffered excessive damage in 2015, is yet to be fully repaired, and interim fixes have been put in place in the meanwhile. “We have a lot of confidence that it’s going to continue to serve us well, even through this rain event,” stated Clint Shealy, assistant city manager of Columbia Water. The area hopes to witness the conclusion of repairs and improvements by 2025.

The current situation tests the fortitude and preparedness of the community. The river flooding risk poised by Tropical Storm Debby shall require immense resilience and caution from everyone in the affected areas while reminding us of the inevitable consequences of environmental change and the importance of disaster management and infrastructural fortification.