South Carolina Struggles with Record-Breaking Rain

Nine Weather-Related Deaths Reported So Far

 

In South Carolina, millions still remain homebound Monday following the devastating rainfall from hurricane Joaquin, reports USA Today. Many schools, government offices, and businesses closed due to the continuing rains. Both the governor and Emergency Management Division are urging residents to stay where they are if they are safe.

The National Weather Service has reported rainfall totaling 6.8 inches in Columbia on Sunday, greatly surpassing the record from 1959. The two-day weekend rainfall total of 10.44 inches also set a record. Across South Carolina, 550 roads and bridges were closed Monday. About 40,000 residences were without water, and many thousands more were dealing with a boil order. About 26,000 had no power.


Homeless individuals often have nowhere to turn in extreme weather situations. However, there are a number of AGRM-member rescue missions in areas affected by this storm. If you or someone you know needs emergency shelter or has other critical needs please go to AGRM’s Locate a Mission to find the mission nearest you. 

Here are some firsthand reports from AGRM members in South Carolina: 

  • Wayne Fields, CEO of Oliver Gospel Mission in Columbia, reports that the mission is doing good and serving its purpose. “We are looking at this crisis as an opportunity to minister to our community, and we are serving more people than usual.” Although the mission’s water was cut off last night, it’s back on now. Some staff members were unable to make it to the mission’s facilities  because of road closures and flooding, but enough were able to make it in to keep things running. 

Wayne also says, “Homelessness is taking on a new meaning in the state because now even wealthy people are finding themselves without a place to go, at least for the short term.

    Wayne also says, “Homelessness is taking on a new meaning in the state because now even wealthy people are finding themselves without a place to go, at least for the short term.”

  • At Miracle Hill Ministries, Inc., farther inland in Greenville, the staff reports that they have a few roof leaks in one building and a small flood in their women’s shelter, but are okay otherwise. Annette Lehman says, “We praise God for his goodness and protection.”

  • Bryan Braddock, executive director of House of Hope in Florence, found himself on vacation on the coast of South Carolina and unable to get home due to flooding. “We had no idea it would get this bad,” he notes. “Our men's and women's home are okay, but the flood waters are just feet from breaching our men's home. Florence is under curfew from 7:00 p.m.–7: 00 a.m., so we have stopped all activities and transportation for the men's and women's homes and closed our Mission Mart thrift stores.” Bryan hopes to get home Wednesday.


A suburb of Charleston was also blasted with record rainfall of more than two feet since Thursday. The flooding stranded motorists and residents, forcing hundreds of rescues and evacuations. Federal disaster aid has already been approved by the President for South Carolina and 600 National Guard personnel have been called to the region with hundreds more at the ready. Though much of the East was saturated, the hovering stormed saved its worst for South Carolina.

CNN reports that while the rain is beginning to move out of the region, as much as an additional two inches could fall. And some rivers might not crest for possibly two weeks, meaning parts of South Carolina will be dealing with flooding for some time.

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