Sandbags available in Colleton County as river expected to rise

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Residents in Colleton County can pick up sandbags Wednesday as additional flooding is expected this week.

Sandbags are available from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. behind Colleton County Fire-Rescue Headquarters on Mable T. Willis Boulevard. You are asked to bring a shovel and use caution while traveling.

“There are numerous road closures throughout the county,” fire rescue officials said. “Do not drive around barricades or through flood waters.”

A flood warning remains in effect for Colleton County and a river flood warning is also in place until further notice, according to the National Weather Service.

Major flooding is forecast along the Edisto River near Givhans Ferry. The flood stage was 7.6 feet at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The river is expected to rise above flood stage late Wednesday and will continue rising to 15.2 feet Sunday evening. “Additional rises are possible” after that.

“At 15.0 feet, major flooding occurs as the entire flood plain is inundated from Canadys to Highway 17,” the NWS said. “Extensive damage occurs to homes and cabins throughout this area and most river access roads are impassable. Flooding will also impede travel as portions of major roadways are closed to traffic including Parkers Ferry Road, Camp Buddy Road, and Wire Road.”

NWS forecasters said Ireland Creek at Walterboro continues to rise slowly. They said water is approaching businesses along Ivanhoe Road between Forest Hills Road and Lands End Road.