(Columbia) September 10, 2004 - South Carolina
continues to feel the affects of Frances, the remnants
of which are blamed for two deaths in the state. Sunny
skies have returned to much of South Carolina. But
residents are watching rising streams following the
rains from the remnants of Hurricane Frances. Frances
dropped from four to ten inches of rain in the Upstate.
According to officials at the Department of Natural
Resources, rivers and lakes in South Carolina are
currently at capacity. Officials say some rivers have
yet to crest though, so residents shouldn't let their
guards down.
Hurricane Ivan will be a big factor. If the storm
heads towards South Carolina, the rainfall could cause
wide-spread flooding.
Neighbors are talking on Mallard Road at Lake Wateree
and what they're hearing is bad. Jackie Horton says the
water is rising more than expected, "We decided to come
up and take the boat out while we could."
He and his wife were going to spend the night there.
It's a plan they were rethinking, "We certainly are
re-thinking that because we may not be able to get out
in the morning."
There will likely be an extra five feet of water in
the morning surrounding the people who live in the 17
homes, trapping them.
Some decided to stay, but they moved their cars to
higher ground and use boats to get to them, but resident
Jack Owens says one elderly woman left Friday and won't
return until the flooding is gone, "She was afraid she'd
get trapped in here and couldn't get out."
Owens and his wife will stick it out. They've already
stocked up on groceries. It's real aggravating. You get
anxious. My wife worries a lot."
Congaree River:
- Two feet to three feet about normal.
- Expected to crest later Monday.
- Expected to rise about another foot.
- Nothing too bad for homes along Congaree River,
just an inconvenienced with water in the yards, but
not homes.
- Will be well into next week before it returns to
normal.
Black Creek:
- Thirteen feet to 14 feet above normal.
- Looks like it's starting to recede.
- May take a couple of days to get down to where
it's not causing problems.
Lake Wateree:
- Two feet above normal.
- Water is still going up.
- Expected to crest Monday night at five feet above
normal lake levels.
- Will cause significant problems for 15 to 20
families who will lose road access.
The Department of Natural Resources says the
rivers and lakes are full, the ground is saturated and
there's simply no place to go.
Reporting by Scott
Hawkins
Updated 9:41pm by Chris Rees
