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LIVE BLOG: Florence Floods the Carolinas

Flooding is expected to wreak havoc across the region for days, potentially weeks. Keep up with all of the latest updates right here.
Credit: Mark Wilson
Robert Dolman walks past a Cadillac that has a large tree limb on it, on September 16, 2018 in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Columbia, SC (WLTX) — While the rain from Florence is coming to an end, the slow-motion disaster of river flooding is expected to wreak havoc for days, potentially weeks, with nearly 20 rivers expected to crest in major flood stage this week. Keep up with all of the latest updates right here.

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Wednesday, September 19

1:05 p.m. President Donald Trump is handing out warm meals and a bit of encouragement to some North Carolinians recovering from Hurricane Florence. RELATED: President Trump handing out warm meals to Florence victims

1:04 p.m. The McEntire Joint National Guard Base received a few out-of-town visitors on Monday night, from "The Last Frontier" State. Two Black Hawk helicopters along with a 22-person crew were transported to base by a C-17 plane, from Anchorage, AK, to help in wake of tropical storm Florence. RELATED: Alaskan National Guardsmen Arrive to Help With Florence Flood Efforts

1:00 p.m. Two people being transported in an Horry County Sheriff’s Office vehicle died Tuesday when the vehicle was overcome by floodwaters, the South Carolina sheriff's office confirmed Tuesday night. RELATED: 2 women drown as sheriff's van swept into SC flood waters

12:59 p.m. All lanes on I-95 in South Carolina are now open. However, some sections in North Carolina may remain closed.

12:58 p.m. NWS Columbia: Pee Dee river is still in major flood, but slowly falling. Downstream it will reach major flood levels early next week.

Tuesday, September 18

8:10 p.m. SCEMD: Wash your hands! Flood water may be contaminated with raw sewage and hazardous substances. It's best to avoid contact with flood water.

7:38 p.m. The deadly storm has flooded homes and destroyed roadways causing catastrophic damage that will change some lives forever. But amid the destruction, there's been amazing examples of the human spirit.

7:37 p.m. Columbia fire crews are heading to Hartsville to aid in Florence relief.

7:34 p.m. Work was put in on S-13-136 in Chesterfield County by District 4 SCDOT crews.

Credit: SCDOT

7:33 p.m. 125 multi-role bridge company engineers launch bridges in support of Santee-Cooper flood mitigation efforts.

5:31 p.m. USPS suspends, reopens operations in the 295 service areas:

The following Post Offices have suspended operations until further notice:

  • Dillon Post Office, 300 W. Main St., Dillon, SC 29536. PO Box mail will be available for pick up at the Latta Post Office, 115 W. Main St., Latta, SC. 29565
  • Green Sea Post Office, 3720 Mitchell Sea Rd., 29545. PO Box mail will be available for pick up at the Loris Post Office, 3085 Broad St, Loris, SC 29569.
  • Tatum Post Office, 104 N. Stanton St, Tatum, SC 29594. PO Box mail will be available for pick up at the McColl Post Office, 201 N. Main St., McColl, SC 29570.
  • Centenary Post Office, 4811 S Highway 41A, Centenary, SC, 29519. PO Box mail will be available for pick up at the Marion Post Office, 201 S Main St., Marion, SC, 29571.
  • Wallace Post Office, 4130 Post Office Dr., Wallace, SC 29596. PO Box mail will be available for pick up at the Cheraw Post Office, 248 Market St., Cheraw, SC 29520.

The following Post Offices have resumed operations:

  • Clio Post Office, 117 Red Bluff St., Clio, SC 29525
  • Latta Post Office, 115 W. Main St., Latta, SC 29565
  • Loris Post Office, 3085 Broad St., Loris, SC 29569
  • McColl Post Office, 201 N. Main St., 29570

5:29 p.m. SCLEOA has several donation location throughout the state for Florence relief.

Credit: SCLEOA

4:18 p.m. Due to the extreme high river level and widespread flooding following Hurricane Florence, the SCDNR has declared a temporary closure for hunting within the Pee Dee and Waccamaw river drainage systems on all game species except for alligator, doves, teal, Canada geese, hogs and coyotes. The flooding has created potential for exploitation of game species that are deprived of their normal escape routes and confined to small areas of high ground.

Effective at 12:01 a.m. September 19, a 10-day closure of the hunting season for all game species excluding alligator, dove, teal, Canada geese, hogs and coyotes will be in effect. The current closure will continue until 11:59 p.m. September 28.

4:14 p.m. SC National Guard soldiers place sand bags along Highway 501 in Conway.

4:12 p.m. SCDOT by the numbers for Hurricane Florence operations:

  • SCDOT maintenance employees: 879
  • SCDOT vehicles and heavy equipment: 480
  • Road and bridge closures: 204

4:09 p.m. Waccamaw Rivera along Highway 501 in Conway is currently at 8 feet, and is expected to rise later in the week. SOURCE: SCDOT

Credit: SCDOT

3:39 p.m. Lexington County EMS ran 30 emergency response and recovery calls before, during and after Florence.

3:37 p.m. The Little River in North Carolina is experiencing unprecedented after Florence.

1:31 p.m. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has declared temporary hunting closures in portions of the Pee Dee and Waccamaw river drainage systems.

1:11 p.m. Sources say President Donald Trump will visit the Carolinas Wednesday to assess damage from Hurricane Florence. Related: Sources: President Trump to visit North and South Carolina to Assess Florence Damage

12:58 p.m. WANT TO VOLUNTEER? If you are not affiliated with a group already volunteering but WANT TO VOLUNTEER, the S.C. Department of Emergency Management (SCEMD) recommends you register at volunteersc.org. The site, maintained by the United Way Association of South Carolina, matches volunteers with appropriate opportunities to help once officials assess the storm damage. SCEMD asks volunteers to NOT SELF-DEPLOY, as unexpectedly showing up to communities impacted by the hurricane may create an additional burden for first responders.

12:32 p.m. Governor McMaster and emergency management officials will hold a media briefing at 2:30 p.m. today. News 19 plans stream the briefing live on here on wltx.com and on Facebook.

12:25 p.m. Officials continue to monitor Black Creek in Darlington County. Here's a look.

11:20 a.m. Check out this incredible video of the Pee Dee River in Cheraw, which is expected to crest between noon and 2 p.m. at 50 feet.

11:03 a.m. SCDOT crews and contractors continue work to construct flood barriers at the U.S. 378 Lynches River crossing in Florence County, as well as on the U.S. 501 Bypass in Conway.

10:18 a.m. Serve and Connect is working with local law enforcement agencies to collect relief items at multiple locations through Wednesday, September 19.

ITEMS NEEDED: Bottled Water, Non-Perishable Food Items, Cleaning Supplies and Personal Hygiene Items.

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:

  • Columbia Police Department: 715 Bluff Rd, Columbia SC (Open M - W, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
  • Forest Acres Police Department: 5205 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC (Open M - W, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
  • Florence County Sheriffs Office: 6719 Friendfield Road Effingham SC (Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
  • Lexington County Sheriff Department: Training Center at 541 Gibson Rd, Lexington SC (Open M - W, 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
  • Lexington Police Department: 111 Maiden Ln, Lexington SC (Open M - W, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
  • Mount Pleasant Police Department: 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mt Pleasant SC (24-hour drop-off at duty office)
  • Moncks Corner Police Department: 118 Carolina Avenue, Moncks Corner SC (Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) In cooperation with Berkeley County Sheriffs Office.
  • Richland County Sheriff Department: 2500 Decker Blvd, Columbia SC (Open M - W, 12 p.m – 5:30 p.m.)

Check Serve and Connect's website and Facebook page for updates.

9:21 a.m. SCE&G says it has completed the process of restoring power to customer affected by Hurricane Florence.

8:17 a.m. Lexington County firefighters have been deployed to Horry County to assist with response and recovery.

7:11 a.m. Although the torrential rain from Florence may be coming to an end in the Carolinas, the slow-motion disaster of river flooding will continue to wreak havoc across the region for days – or potentially weeks. Nearly 20 rivers in the Carolinas are expected to crest in major flood stage this week. Related: Florence: Flooding to Swamp Carolinas for Days – or Even Weeks

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