CHARLESTON, S.C., Oct. 5 (UPI) — Even though the rain has mostly subsided in South Carolina, the flooding and resulting damage were expected to plague the area for the rest of the week, forecasters said.
At least 13 people — 11 in South Carolina and two in North Carolina — have died in weather-related incidents since the historic flooding began. In South Carolina, seven people drowned and four died in traffic crashes. The two reported deaths in North Carolina were the results of traffic crashes.
President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for South Carolina late Monday, funneling much-needed federal aid to state, tribal and local recovery efforts affected by the storms.
At the same time, residents have been urged to stay off the roads, away from dangerous areas. Some residents have been spotted in boats inching close to breached dams for photographs.
“This is not the time to take pictures,” Gov. Nikki Haley said. She warned that though the rain is subsiding, the danger continues. Scattered showers were expected through Tuesday.
Flood waters were draining from the eastern part of the state downhill toward the ocean. Up to 18 dams were breached or failed in South Carolina since Saturday, the state’s emergency management agency said early Tuesday.
More than 400,000 people were without water Monday. About 26,000 remain without power. More than 900 were in shelters with more evacuations likely, Haley said.
A crushing combination of moisture from Hurricane Joaquin with a low-pressure system dumped more than a foot of rain on many parts of the state. South Carolina has taken the brunt of it, but heavy weather doused the East Coast as far north as New Jersey.
Joaquin was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, and has turned northeast over the Atlantic Ocean toward Bermuda, though the rain could continue through Wednesday. Flash flood warnings remained in effect through Tuesday.
