Disastrous flooding on the Waccamaw predicted to strike Wednesday night

Torrential rains that wreaked havoc across Horry County began to recede Monday, but for Lees Landing residents, a disastrous slow-moving flood is predicted to swamp riverbanks and invade homes by Wednesday night.

A vacant field above the landing materialized into a parking lot filled with cars Sunday night – a timely move as water blocked the road by Monday morning.

Residents hiked through the flooded streets to reach their cars and make scheduled doctor appointments, last-minute grocery store runs, or to haul in supplies for livestock.

The National Weather Service has updated its forecast to predict that the Waccamaw River will crest at 15.7 feet Wednesday night.

Kia Ford has a horse trailer ready for a speedy exit with her pony “Angel” out of Lees Landing if the predictions for a 15-foot crest of the Waccamaw River on Wednesday night hold true.

It’s only been two years since the last flood caused devastation in this low-lying area and many residents stayed put, but with the rising water rivaling the record set by Hurricane Floyd in 1999, most residents aren’t taking any chances. Two dozen National Guard members arrived in Conway on Monday and checked on residents in neighborhoods isolated by the flooding.

“In 2013 they never said anything to us, we all just stayed here and this is what we did – drove in by truck or boated in and out with canoes to get to cars,” Ford said. “They didn’t even come down here to help us in any with water or stuff like that,” neighbors just relied on neighbors, Ford said.

Ann LaPlante moved to Lees Landing from New York four years ago, and while she’s packing up her belongings in preparation for the floodwaters to rush her house, she’s not sure she will leave.

“How will we know if we’re supposed to evacuate?” LaPlante asked. “We don’t know what to do or where to go. We have five dogs -- what do we do with our dogs if we go to a shelter?”

Horry County spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said the best the county could do in the next few days to prepare for potential river flooding is watch the river.

“A lot of the people in Lee’s Landing have been through [Hurricane] Floyd and rebuilt to higher standards, so they know what to expect,” she said. “But there might be some who don’t so we’ll be prepared to help when we’re needed.”

The National Weather Service has issued a major flood warning for low-lying areas along the Waccamaw River in Conway. At 14 feet on Monday, the river was well over the 11-foot flood stage causing minor flooding, and is expected to climb to 15.7 feet by Wednesday night. Hurricane Floyd caused massive flood damage as the river swelled to more than 17 feet.

Already a truck from Horry County Fire and Rescue Station 43 is patrolling Lees Landing and recommending that residents pack up and move out while roads are still passable by truck.

“We’re advising them to leave because the flooding will only get worse over the next couple of days,” said firefighter Danny Moris. “Most of the people we talked to are willing to get out.”

But Joann Newman hasn’t made up her mind whether to leave. She hiked through the flooded street with the assistance of a walking stick to reach her car, asking neighbors along the way if the roads into Myrtle Beach were clear so she could get to a dental appointment.

She has a bathtub full of water at home, and candles in case the area loses electricity.

“I might just ride it out,” Newman said.

More than 15 inches have dropped on the Myrtle Beach area since Friday, and totals have topped 27 inches across the state.

Gov. Nikki Haley called the three-day storm a once in a 1,000-year event, and has called out the National Guard to assist in search and rescue missions.

Horry County government offices and schools were closed Monday to allow emergency officials to deal with flooded roads and other dangerous conditions, including downed trees and power outages.

This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Disastrous flooding on the Waccamaw predicted to strike Wednesday night."