Swift-moving water, high tide create dangerous conditions in Georgetown County
At high tide shortly before 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Georgetown, waters rose to almost the boardwalk, with no signs of stopping. Sidewalks and alleyways near Front Street had swift-moving and quickly rising floodwaters.
Potentially life-threatening flash flooding was predicated as Hurricane Dorian moved into the area.
John Bentley, owner of Capt’n Rod’s Low Country Tours, navigated high waters after a friend let him know something was loose and flapping on his boat.
“It’s my livelihood,” he said, by way of explanation for his venture outside. He also decided to stay for a beer at Buzz’s Roost, one of the only remaining open establishments Thursday afternoon, despite having lost power earlier in the day.
Georgetown County Fire and EMS suspended services for the entire county around 2 p.m. because of dangerous weather and wind conditions.
Those with an emergency can still call 911 and will be added to a wait list. Once it is safe, emergency services will resume and rescuers will prioritize calls, according to county officials.
“Now is the time to hunker down,” Georgetown County Public Information Officer Jackie Broach-Akers said, cautioning residents not to be out taking pictures of the storm.
Drivers should never move road barriers or drive through high water, she said.
“That can definitely be a deadly decision,” Broach-Akers said.
By mid-afternoon several roads in Georgetown were impassable by water levels or traffic barriers. Branches and debris began littering roadways.
At 12:30, there were more than 60 people at a shelter at Pleasant Hill Elementary, 127 Schoolhouse Drive, in Hemingway.
This story was originally published September 5, 2019 at 2:30 PM.
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