South Carolina floods: Death toll rises to 9 in unrelenting storm

Luke Skywalker · Oct 5, 2015

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[h=4]South Carolina floods: Death toll rises to 9 in unrelenting storm[/h]Millions of South Carolinians remained homebound because of historic rainfall.

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South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley says recovery efforts are underway, but dangers remain from the state's historic flooding. VPC

A vehicle and a home are swamped with floodwater from nearby Black Creek in Florence, S.C., on Oct. 5, 2015.(Photo: Gerry Broome, AP)

The death toll rose to nine, and millions of South Carolinians remained homebound Monday as state emergency officials grappled with catastrophic flooding following days of historic rains.
The rain was finally ending late Monday, and sunshine was forecast for Tuesday. But the state remained bloated with floodwaters leaving devastation in their wake.
"We are stronger today than we were yesterday," Gov. Nikki*Haley said at a news conference Monday, adding*"This is not over. Just because the rain stops does not mean that we are out of the woods."
Haley said 550 roads and bridges were closed Monday. About 40,000 residences were without water, but many thousands more were dealing with a boil order. About 26,000 had no power, she said.
Hundreds of rescues included a mother and her 15-month-old daughter, plucked from the roof of their flooded home Sunday by a Coast Guard helicopter in Huger, about 25 miles north of Charleston. The duo was evacuated to safety.
Alex Holmes, 24, was among the fatalities. Her sister, Amanda Holmes Mitchell, told USA TODAY her sister's SUV was swept away by floodwaters Sunday. She called a friend that morning to say she was stuck in the car with a dead battery, unable to open the window. Rescuers said the car*filled with water and Holmes drowned.
"She was a beautiful person," her sister said. "You couldn't help but love her. She was a great daughter, a great aunt, a great sister."
In Columbia, Mayor Steve Benjamin said thousand of homes were without running water, and that*a boil alert remained in effect for thousands more.
"I believe things will get worse before they get better," a somber Benjamin said Monday. "Eventually the floods will abate, but ...* I anticipate that damage will be in the billions of dollars. Some people's lives will never be the same."
Steve Bowen, a meteorologist with the global insurance firm Aon Benfield, said economic losses to the state should "easily surpass $1 billion given the enormity of the damage."
"The cost to infrastructure alone could be that much," Bowen said in an e-mail to USA TODAY. "Much of the damage will not be covered by insurance since only a small percentage of homeowners in South Carolina are current National Flood Insurance Program policyholders."
Gov.*Haley has said this type of rain event can be expected once in 1,000 years.
The National Weather Service said rainfall totaling 6.87 inches Sunday in Columbia made it the city's all-time wettest day on record. The two-day weekend rainfall total of 10.44 inches also set a record. The Charleston area set records as well; one suburb (near Mt. Pleasant) had seen more than 2 feet of rain since Thursday.
Haley said 1,300 National Guard personnel were on the ground*Monday, and thousands more were on alert. She said President Obama, who previously had issued a state of emergency to provide federal assistance, called her Monday and was "extremely gracious and kind" and offered additional help.
Much of the East has been saturated by rains that have lingered since Thursday. Coastal areas of North Carolina and Virginia saw flooding, and flood warnings and watches were in effect along much of the East Coast. But the hovering storm saved its worst abuse for South Carolina.
USA TODAY
Weather: The weird, wild and wonderful

"If you're safe where you are, stay there," the state Emergency Management Division tweeted Monday. "Flooding expected to continue in more than half the state."
The storm was the worst weather disaster for the state since*Hurricane Hugo ripped through as a Category 4 storm in 1989, killing 27 people in the state.*Greg Lewis, spokesman for the National Weather Service in Columbia, said the low pressure system that stalled over the state for five days was finally moving out over the Atlantic late Monday.
"The rest of the week looks pretty good," Lewis told USA TODAY. "The flooding should wind down, The focus will be on the cleanup."
Contributing: Doyle Rice, Greg Toppo

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGCaskets, cars carried away in South Carolina floods | 02:55South Carolinians are struggling to cope with historic floods caused by the heaviest rain ever recorded in parts of the state. USA TODAY

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSouth Carolina governor: Flood dangers 'very real' | 01:25South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley says recovery efforts are underway, but dangers remain from the state's historic flooding. VPC

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGRaw: SC Hit Hard By Driving Rains And Flooding | 01:22Hundreds have been rescued from fast-moving floodwaters in South Carolina as days of driving rain reach a dangerous crescendo. (Oct. 4) AP

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGCoast Guard chopper rescues mom, toddler from flooded home | 00:46The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a mother and her 15-month-old child from a flooded house in Huger, South Carolina. The family's neighborhood was severely flooded. U.S. Coast Guard

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGBoats used to rescue stranded flood victims | 02:16As historic rain continues to pound South Carolina, people were forced to evacuate their homes. Boats helped rescue those who were stranded.

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC Governor: Haven't seen this much rain in 1,000 years | 01:07South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley says that parts of her state haven't had this much rain in 1,000 years. So far, three people have died from weather-related incidents in South Carolina. VPC

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGRaw: S.C. Residents Rescued Amid Heavy Flooding | 01:44Torrential rains soak residents across South Carolina, washing out roads and forcing locals to be rescued by fire department officials in boat. (Oct. 4) AP

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGThis couple didn't let a little rain spoil their big day | 01:15Rain or shine, John and Judy Joye were determined to get married on the beach. The couple made the most of their soaked ceremony, even jumping in the ocean right after their vows. VPC

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGDozens rescued in flooded South Carolina | 01:46After historic rainfall drenched parts of South Carolina, flash flooding stranded hundreds, forcing several rescue attempts. (Oct. 4) AP

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSC resident: A dumpster was floating down flooded river | 02:45As South Carolina continues to be hit by historic rainfall, curious residents can't help but take a look outside. One witness describes seeing a dumpster floating down a nearby flooded river. VPC

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGSouth Carolina floods 'worse than you think' | 01:10Flood waters have swallowed cars, destroyed homes and devastated businesses in Columbia, South Carolina. Some stranded residents have had to be rescued by boat. VPC

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGHeavy rain causes flooding up and down East Coast | 01:08Cities up and down the East Coast are flooded from heavy rain. The torrential rain comes as Hurricane Joaquin continues to move away from the U.S. VPC

S.C. STRUGGLES WITH HISTORIC FLOODINGDangerous floods turn South Carolina roads into rivers | 00:59Heavy flooding across South Carolina trapped some people in their homes and forced others to abandon their cars in the high water. VPC

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South Carolina floods: Death toll rises to 9 in unrelenting storm

Luke Skywalker

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