Waccamaw River expected to reach moderate flood stage as Hurricane Dorian dumps rain

10:30 p.m. Update: National Weather Service forecasters say rainfall totals are lower than anticipated leading to lower river level predictions. The Waccamaw River near Conway is expected to crest around 12.4 feet on Friday in moderate flood stage. The river is now not expected to reach major flood status. The NWS still warns the Conway Marina will be flooded.

The Waccamaw River in Conway is expected to experience major flooding stemming from Hurricane Dorian, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

The river is forecast to become a major flood Friday night and crest at 15.5’ by Saturday morning, according to NWS. Railroad trestles in downtown Conway will flood at 15.9 feet.

The river could remain at or above a major flood into the middle of next week.

Flooding will occur in residential areas off Business 501, Highway 905 and Highway 90, according to NWS. water levels one foot deep will surround approximately 20 homes in the Savannah Bluff area, with flood waters also expected to surround homes in Lees Landing, Pitch Landing and the Riverfront South communities.

Few homes on Oak Street as well as Punch Bowl and Pitch Landing will also experience flooding.

Swamps will also be heavily flooded.

Residents living near the river are advised to take necessary precautions ahead of the flooding.

This story was originally published September 5, 2019 at 12:32 PM.