Record floods threaten South Carolina spilled after Florence

The authorities of Georgetown County, South Carolina, are expecting a record flood in the region due to the overflowing rivers of Hurricane Florence.

Фото: Depositphotos

In this regard, with respect to thousands of people, a recommendation was issued on evacuation, writes CNN.

The county was not affected by the destructive winds of Hurricane Florence, but it is located at the mouths of the rivers Ukkamau, Great Pi-Di and Sampit.

According to weather forecasters, in parts of Georgetown County, water will rise by at least 10 feet (3 meters). The flood is expected to start on Tuesday and continue until the end of the week.

Great Pi-Di and Ukkamau have already led to flooding in upstream regions, while the water level in Ukkamau continues to rise, threatening the regions at the mouth of record-breaking floods.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that the tides can significantly increase the level of flood waters. Usually, from low tide to high tide in Georgetown, there is a difference in water level of about 3 feet (90 cm) in the part where Great Di Di enters Wigna Bay.

The full moon on the night of September 25 means that the tides will be even stronger. If the rivers reach the peak ridge at high tide, flooding will be even larger.

According to forecasts, the water level in the region will be the highest at the end of the week. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources expects most of the floods to occur on Wednesday-Thursday.

How to prepare the city

Precipitation, which Hurricane Florence threw on North Carolina, moved downstream for more than two weeks. Currently, these waters are threatening to flood the county of Georgetown in South Carolina, which is home to more than 61 000 people, of whom almost 8 000 were forced to evacuate due to impending flooding. It is expected that a significant part of the city will be under water.

In preparation for the arrival of large waters along the 17 highway, which connects Georgetown with the nearby coast of South Carolina and its beaches, special barriers are being erected.

This is done in order to separate the water from the road and keep the highway open as long as possible. But weather forecasters suggest that at some point the road will still have to be closed.

As a precautionary measure, the South Carolina National Guard is building a floating ribbon bridge capable of carrying heavy equipment along the Ukkamau River.

All 19 Georgetown County schools were closed Monday until further notice. Some are "at risk of significant flood damage," county officials said. Two schools, Georgetown High School and Waccamaw Middle School, are operating as shelters for evacuees.

The local environment and water department is also preparing. The Ukkamau River is used to supply water to residents of the region, but soon because of the spill it will contain hazardous pollutants, so the officials are working to ensure the operation of other water sources, if necessary. This includes works on connecting pipelines in the part of the city that is threatened with flooding, with the region that will remain on land, so that you can pump water from uncontaminated areas, if the need arises.

In addition, sandbags are distributed to residents.

Recall hurricane florence hit the east coast of the US on September 14, bringing with it devastating winds and flooding. As of 26 September, 47 people became victims of the disaster.

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