Waccamaw River crested as expected Thursday

The Waccamaw River crested Thursday morning at 16.09 feet, very close to the 16.1 feet level weather authorities were expecting, officials said.

Residents and officials had been gearing up for the crest in the days leading up to it, and 14 checkpoints along the river were set up in Horry County and manned with Horry County police and National Guardsmen 24 hours a day to assist residents with concerns and to help them get aid if needed.

“The river is holding,” Lisa Bourcier, Horry County spokeswoman said Thursday morning after the river saw the third highest crest in its history.

The recent crest exceeded levels experienced during the 1998 El Nino event and stayed just roughly 1.5 feet under Hurricane Floyd levels.

Bourcier said some Conway roads had been impacted by the crest including: Highway 905 between East Country Club and Main Street, Long Avenue, and Country Club Drive, and some others, which had already been experiencing issues since flooding began about a week ago.

Bourcier said they haven’t seen any major issues, and there were no evacuation requests overnight or Thursday morning.

Bourcier said there were two people requested help evacuating Wednesday near Rowe Pond Road, but said no mandatory evacuations are expected; if residents begin to feel unsafe in their homes help is available to them if they need it, she said.

Boat patrols by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources are also ongoing to assist with security of flooded properties, authorities said.

“Horry County Fire Rescue will continue to have a presence in those flooded areas and will assist residents who chose to evacuate from their homes,” Bourcier said in a press release.

Brian VanAernem, Horry County Fire Rescue spokesman, also said there haven’t been many recent calls for rescues and said anyone who feels they’re in danger should call 911.

Help, including federal aid, is also available to flood victims in Horry, Georgetown, and other areas in the state affected by the flood.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C., said they are a little concerned about some rain in the forecast for the upcoming weekend.

Steve Pfaff, meteorologist with the weather service, said one weather model shows heavier rain than another, and forecasters are keeping a very close eye on the situation.

Pfaff said there is a slight risk for excessive rainfall, and said already flooded areas could be further impacted if the heavier rain happens.

Pfaff said river flooding would be exacerbated by the weekend rain and flood-prone, low-lying areas could also experience some minor flooding again.

Pfaff said on Thursday morning another storm model shows the low pressure system that’s bringing in the rain moving swiftly out to sea, but said it was too soon to tell how much rain the weather-beaten northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina regions would see this upcoming weekend.

Georgetown authorities are also concerned about river cresting, which is expected in the county on Friday.

Georgetown authorities are working with hydrologists and the National Weather Service to monitor the river levels, said Jackie Broach, Georgetown County spokeswoman.

“There are still no mandatory evacuations in Georgetown County. However, anyone who feels unsafe in their home is advised please leave and take important items such as medications, insurance documents, etc. with you. If you can't leave your home due to flooding and need to be transported by boat, call 911 for assistance,” Broach said in a recent press release.

Broach said residents can call the Georgetown County Emergency Management at 843-545-3273 with any questions or concerns. The county’s automated information hotline is also open 24 hours a day at 843-545-3900 and regularly updated.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 11:04 AM with the headline "Waccamaw River crested as expected Thursday."