COLUMBIA, S.C., Oct. 7 (UPI) — At least 17 are dead — 15 in South Carolina and two in North Carolina — as a result of flooding that has destroyed homes, breached dams and washed out highways.
Of those who died in South Carolina, nine are a result of drowning and six from traffic deaths. Forecasters warned while the rain has finally stopped for now, some areas could still see rising waters as they move downstream toward the coast. More than 20 rivers have flooded and 10 dams failed in what experts consider a 1,000-year flood, meaning in any given year there is a 1-in-1,000 chance of that much rain.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley warned residents to “be cautious the next 36 to 48 hours.”
“Don’t let the sunshine fool you,” she said.
Haley said safety remains the leading concern for officials. More than 800 people were staying in shelters statewide early Wednesday. More evacuations were expected throughout the day.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in the air and on the ground assessing the damage in 46 counties. About 2,200 state National Guard troops were on the ground, while roughly 1,400 state Department of Transportation maintenance workers and 200 engineers continue to repair dam, road and bridge damages. The American Red Cross has deployed about 400 volunteers.
“We won’t stop until we make sure that we have given every ounce of information that we can,” she said, urging residents to cooperate with potential evacuations and other instructions to ensure that no additional lives are lost.
The National Weather Service said it should remain sunny throughout Wednesday with temperatures in the lower 80s. By the weekend, more showers were expected.
