Horry, Georgetown officials drop OPCON levels but remain on alert in flood’s aftermath

Emergency preparedness officials have downgraded OPCON levels as the sun came out and the rain let up this week, but everyone is still on alert while dealing with the historic flood’s aftermath.

Horry County officials said they have from OPCON 1 to OPCON 2 on Monday, meaning flooding continues to pose a serious threat, but the situation is stabilizing.

“We are still having daily conference calls with local and state leaders and that will continue to take place all week and possibility the rest of the month,” Brooke Holden, Horry County Emergency Management Division spokeswoman said.

Georgetown County downgraded their OPCON level to 3 after being at OPCON 1 for more than a week.

“OPCON 3 is a ‘standby’ status and in this case means a threat may still be possible, but full-fledged emergency operations have ceased, and the county is beginning the shift into full recovery mode,” Jackie Broach, Georgetown County spokeswoman said in a press release Monday.

State officials also shifted to OPCON 3 on Monday, according to a press release.

Both Horry and Georgetown County officials said their emergency centers are still open 24 hours a day as relief efforts continue for many residents.

“We are on the decline. All rivers are receding,” Michael Colby, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C. said.

Waccamaw still well above flood stage

Still, weather authorities said the Waccamaw remained in major flood stage at 15.85 feet Tuesday morning, down from its third-highest crest level of 16.1 feet, which it reached Thursday as expected.

The Waccamaw is expected to inch down to 14.5 feet by Sunday, which is still at major flood level, weather authorities said in an assessment released Tuesday morning. Flood stage is 11 feet.

Horry and Georgetown counties saw minor renewed flooding in some areas as a heavy downpour on stormed over the Grand Strand on Saturday, soaking the already very saturated ground and causing flash flood warnings.

Weather authorities said the Grand Strand accumulated about one to two inches in most places, and two and a half inches in some isolated areas after the storm.

Many were concerned about the rivers taking on more water, but officials said the Waccamaw and Black River were holding steady despite the weekend rainstorm, which caused a delay in waters receding, but not a significant jump in water levels.

“It [the rain] will make a difference it terms of the amount of time the water stays. Any addition will keep the water there longer,” Holden said of the Waccamaw.

She said while the rain didn’t help flood recovery efforts as it added a little more water to the already swollen and slowly receding Waccamaw, it didn’t cause any significant impacts either.

Holden said the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is continuing boat patrols, which begin earlier last week to assist river residents who may want to leave or have questions. SCDNR workers had counted about 150 people still in their riverbank homes on Tuesday morning.

There are also still 14 checkpoints set up along the river manned by Horry County police and National Guardsmen.

Flood Related Deaths

Horry County Coroner, Robert Edge confirmed there were two flood-related deaths in Horry County out of the 19 reported in connection with the historic flood statewide.

Two women died Thursday after the car they were traveling in overturned on S.C. 22 , and the women were found upside down in the vehicle in several feet of water in a ditch, authorities said.

Both died of asphyxiation by drowning inside the vehicle, Tony Hendrick, Horry County deputy coroner said.

Shykimia Lashaye Holman, 27, and Brianna Michelle Johnson, 21, were pronounced dead at the scene, Hendrick said. Holman and Johnson were from Orangeburg, S.C. The crash remains under investigation.

File for damages

Holden also encouraged residents with flood damage to file for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency as soon as possible so they can get the help they need.

She said residents should report any damage inside and outside a residence when filing no matter how minor.

“You can’t be too cautious when reporting flood damage,” she said.

Holden said when filing for assistance with FEMA, residents will need to provide the following information: social security number, address of damaged residence, description of damage, information about insurance coverage, telephone number, mailing address, bank account and routing number for direct deposit.

The Black River also crested over the weekend in Georgetown and has since fallen, officials said.

Broach said the river was falling quickly and was already down by 4 feet in some areas.

“Decreasing water levels in the county are being reported and the National Weather Service predicts the worst flooding for the county should be over. Tidal flooding should still be anticipated. A new moon this week will keep tides elevated, but major coastal flooding is not expected,” Broach said in a statement released Monday.

Broach said Georgetown County has seen a variety of issues with the historic flooding and said Tuesday that clinics providing free tetanus vaccinations will soon be coming to the area provided by Tidelands Health.

Officials said those involved in flood relief efforts are at risk for tetanus, which is a potentially life-threatening medical condition caused by exposure to bacteria that may be present in flood waters.

Broach said the county has also seen issues with residents moving road barricades.

“We would like to once again remind the public not to move or drive around road barricades, even if it appears water on flooded roadways may have receded enough for vehicles to cross,” Broach said. “It can be very dangerous to drive through water more than six inches deep and/or water that appears to be moving.

“Please keep in mind that roads and bridges cannot be inspected until floodwaters recede. Even roadways and bridges that look fine could have structural damage that is not immediately apparent (such as underneath a bridge, etc.). Even minor structural damage can worsen with vehicles crossing the roadway and can become a major problem and a life threatening safety risk,” Broach said in a press release Tuesday.

Broach said safety is always the county’s top priority.

This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Horry, Georgetown officials drop OPCON levels but remain on alert in flood’s aftermath."