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SHE'S A POWERFUL FORCE -- NATURAL DISASTERS
#41
DEADLY FLOODING IN SOUTH CAROLINA

At least seven people are dead and hundreds have needed rescue as South Carolina continues to be deluged by rain and historic levels of flooding. A State of Emergency has been declared.

Department of Transportation worker Timothy Wayne Gibson, 45, died Sunday, the most recent fatality blamed on the vast storm. Gibson was reportedly working on the flooded Garners Ferry Road, a major thoroughfare into the capital city. Transportation officials said his truck was caught in rushing waters, overturned and swept away.

The National Weather Service said Sunday was the wettest day in the history of Columbia, with the rainfall total at the Metropolitan Airport coming in at a record 6.87 inches. The two-day rainfall total for Saturday and Sunday was 10.44 inches and, since Friday, more than 20 inches have fallen in some parts. The fast-moving floodwaters have buckled buildings and roads, closed a 75-mile stretch of Interstate 95, and threatened the drinking water supply for the state's capital city.

Gov. Nikki Haley said Monday morning that 381 roads were closed, 127 bridges were down and more than two dozen shelters were open. Over 1,000 law enforcement personnel and 1,000 transportation department workers are on duty. Utility crews are still trying to restore service to 30,000 customers.

Haley said most people are heeding her plea to stay off the roads.

"I think they get it," she said. "All you have to do is look out the window and see the flooding. It doesn't take long for you to get in your car and realize you've got to turn back around."

Emergency shelters were being opened around the state for displaced residents, and President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in South Carolina.

Along the coast, rainfall had exceeded two feet since Friday in some areas around Charleston, though conditions had improved enough that residents and business owners were allowed downtown on a limited basis.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said he's never seen flooding as bad in his 40 years as mayor.

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The rescue workers there are busting their assess and putting their own lives at risk. Hoping the storm lets up soon.

Full story: http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2015/10/0...ast-coast/
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RE: SHE'S A POWERFUL FORCE -- NATURAL DISASTERS - by HairOfTheDog - 10-05-2015, 11:49 AM