After historic flooding tore through South Carolina in early October, signs of normalcy are finally starting to appear across the state. Construction crews were able to open the entire southbound stretch of Interstate 95 on Monday. For the first time in more than a week, drivers can now go from the Northeast to Florida without a two hour detour. The northbound lanes were opened early Tuesday.
River levels continue to go down, but there’s still some moderate flooding in South Carolina. It all spawns from the devastating floods that occurred more than a week ago. There are two rivers still showing moderate flooding and will continue to do so through the rest of the week.
For the Richland County residents that have been tirelessly cleaning out their damaged homes, help is on the way. Starting Wednesday, FEMA and local officials will begin picking up flood-related debris curbside. Residents must sort it into categories to be handled properly by pick-up crews.
Game On (Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Hughes)
For those looking to momentarily escape the clean-up, the South Carolina State Fair opens in Columbia on Wednesday. The University of South Carolina’s football team will also return home on Saturday to host Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks decided to play on the road the week before in their bout against Louisiana State University. On the smaller stage, Fort Dorchester High School’s Patriot Football team took on the West Ashley High School Football team, at West Ashley High School. The Patriots beat the West Ashley Wildcats make their season record 7-0. The historic flooding, which has caused damage, destruction and death throughout South Carolina, has been the result of record-setting rainfall during what was considered a 1,000 year rain event delivered by Hurricane Joaquin as it went up the East Coast. The local Charleston schools have been effected by the flood by having families being displaced from their homes, school being canceled and many roads being closed.
(Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Hughes)
The Recovery (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago)
U.S. Airmen and family members from the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard, volunteer to provide assistance to residents in a Columbia neighborhood with the removal of household debris Oct. 8, 2015. The South Carolina National Guard has been activated to support state and county emergency management agencies and local first responders as historic flooding impacts counties statewide. Currently, more than 2,900 South Carolina National Guard members have been activated in response to the floods.
(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago)
(Headline image: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago)
Related:
VIDEO: Terrifying Water Rescue From South Carolina Flood
