Farm animals in Colleton County also impacted by recent flooding

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – As historic flooding impacts the Lowcountry, farmers in some of the more rural areas are still recovering from Tropical Storm Debby and the storm’s lasting effects.

Some sections of Highway 64 heading in and out of Walterboro remain blocked to all traffic Monday as Walterboro, Jacksonboro, and Cottageville continue to see dramatic flooding – many of these areas have only been accessible by boat.

Bill Power’s farm, Herd it Here Farm, is located in Cottageville about a mile and a half from the Edisto River. But his property is roughly 10 feet above the river height, which he believes made a huge difference in protecting the farm from river flooding.

He also drained a pond on his farm before the storm, which helped minimize impacts, even after the property received 17 inches of rain.

While Power still dealt with flooded fields and roads around him, his alpacas, llamas, horses, cows, chickens, and donkeys were all safe and sound. But his goats have some new roommates after helping out a neighbor whose farm is still underwater.

“We have a mutual friend that lives on the river, and they have livestock, and their goats were trapped. They were on a little island, the water had gotten so high, so those folks went down and got those goats and we put them in with ours. They have now taken over the goat house, they are a little bit more assertive than my goats,” he said with a small laugh.

Power said he’s not sure how long he will have the goat guests, but he thinks it will take the area some time to recover and the water to recede.