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Date Published: September 27, 2004
Tropical storm prompts local flood watches
By LESLIE CANTU
Item Staff Writer
lesliec@theitem.com
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for
Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties for today and tonight as the
remnants of Hurricane Jeanne make their way across South Carolina.
On Sunday the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm
and the National Weather Service expected to further downgrade the
storm to a tropical depression today.
Vic Jones, the
director of public safety for Sumter County, said Jeanne should pass
well to the northwest of the tri-county area, but Sumter will
probably still experience heavy rains and winds of 15 to 25 mph with
wind gusts up to 40 mph.
The National Weather Service is
forecasting 2 to 4 inches of rain, but some areas could get as much
as 5 inches of rain today. Tornadoes are also a possibility this
evening.
|
JONES |
| Jones said he doesn't want to
scare people with talk of tornadoes, but he wants people to be aware
of the possibility and be prepared. No tornado watches had been
issued as of Sunday afternoon.
"We need to be conscious of
the fact there could be products of severe weather," Jones said.
At the Sumter County Exhibition Center, fair workers faced
some difficult choices about whether to erect expensive tents for
the Sumter County Fair, which is to officially open at 6 p.m. today.
"We're not planning a delay, but we can't guarantee what's
going to happen," said fair manager William Robinson. A lot of
exhibits and animals are already in place, Robinson said.
Robinson said he's staying in touch with Jones and checking
Internet updates on the weather. He expected to know more today as
the storm moves closer.
"Just keep our fingers crossed and
hope for the best," Robinson said.
In the flood watch issued
Sunday, the National Weather Service warned that the heavy rainfall
could flood small streams, urban areas and other poor-drainage
areas. The service also warned that Jeanne's path is still
uncertain.
At 5 p.m. Sunday, Jeanne was 35 miles southeast of
Cedar Key, Fla., and moving northwest at 12 mph.
Contact
Staff Writer Leslie Cantu at lesliec@theitem.com or
803-774-1250.
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September 27, 2004 
