Bucksport threatened by converging swamps; Florence dam stabilized
An “at-risk” dam that sends water to the Pee Dee river system has been stabilized, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
A spokeswoman for the agency said the Oakdale Dam in Florence County is being monitored and has been reinforced with sandbags and rip rap.
On Thursday, Bucksport was evacuated due to flooding, and some residents said they were warned that a dam break would cause problems.
Officials on the ground would not comment on flooding, and a DHEC spokeswoman said the dam poses no risk to flooding on the Waccamaw or Pee Dee rivers.
Converging Swamps
The community in Bucksport is still being threatened by rising swamp water from the Waccamaw River and the Great Pee Dee River.
The Cowford swamp on the Pee Dee side of Bucksport Road has flooded, and is converging with the swamp on the Waccamaw side of the road, which is still rising.
The Waccamaw River is expected to rise to almost 17 feet on Saturday, and crest at 16.9 feet on Tuesday or Wednesday according to the National Weather Service.
I didn’t have too much of a backyard yesterday. Now I really don’t have a front yard.
Claudette Brockington
County spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said water in Bucksport could rise another foot-and-a-half on Saturday.
On Thursday, the South Carolina National Guard, Horry County Fire Rescue, Department of Natural Resources and Horry County Police were helping to evacuate people from the area.
On Friday, some families were back to gather up the rest of their belongings before the water rose any more.
The water’s not in the house yet but it’s rising. It’s rising.
Claudette Brockington
Claudette Brockington, who lives on Bucksport Road, said she’s never seen flooding like this in her neighborhood. She was gathering up some of her daughter’s and her neighbor’s belongings on Friday and said she had elevated most of her belongings higher in her house.
She said she expected water to come into the house eventually.
“It wasn’t like this yesterday,” she said. “I didn’t have too much of a backyard yesterday. Now I really don’t have a front yard. No yard. The water’s not in the house yet but it’s rising. It’s rising.”
The National Guard is extremely helpful.
Claudette Brockington
She said the South Carolina National Guard was helping her and her neighbor move clothes and personal items onto a large truck.
“The National Guard is extremely helpful,” she said. “They said they’re here to help all night if they need to help.”
Christian Boschult, 843-626-0218, @TSN_Christian
This story was originally published October 14, 2016 at 9:50 PM with the headline "Bucksport threatened by converging swamps; Florence dam stabilized."