Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
A father died saving his family, camp counselors who lost their lives saving children. Read their stories Chevron right
At least 82 dead, dozens still missing after catastrophic flooding in Texas. Read the latest Chevron right

Columbus, OH

87°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

87°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

'We just need to pray:' Evacuations underway in Georgetown, South Carolina, as 'historic' flooding looms

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather senior editor

Published Sep 25, 2018 3:06 PM EDT | Updated Jul 10, 2019 1:50 PM EDT

Copied

More than a week after Hurricane Florence’s landfall, evacuations are still taking place around the Carolinas as swollen rivers that have reached record heights continue to push the water farther downstream where anxious communities await.

While the Little Pee Dee River in South Carolina has crested farther upstream, it still remains above major flood stage. The Waccamaw River near Conway, South Carolina, is forecast to reach a record stage of 22 feet on Wednesday and remain above record levels into the weekend.

"Multiple meandering rivers such as the Pee Dee, Lynches, Black and Waccamaw converge on the Georgetown County, South Carolina, lowlands [which] is where the surge of water will now focus over the next week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.

Historic river flooding threatens South Carolina in aftermath of Hurricane Florence
Twitter

Ahead of the anticipated historic flooding, on Monday, the Georgetown County, South Carolina, government issued mandatory evacuation orders for nearly 8,000 people.

“Residents who live in flood zones along the Intracoastal Waterway, Waccamaw River, and Pee Dee River, or who live in areas that may not be in a flood zone but may become isolated due to deteriorating road conditions, are strongly urged to consider evacuation for their own safety and the safety of first responders,” officials said in a statement.

Parts of the city of Georgetown could see floodwaters as high as 10 feet, according to a flood mapping service from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Georgetown is located about an hour southwest of Myrtle Beach.

RELATED:

President Trump visits Florence-ravaged Carolinas, reassures residents that federal government is ‘ready to help’
Tropical downpours to approach Florence-ravaged areas this week
3 long-term health dangers that flooding can pose to affected communities

Residents in need of evacuation were directed to several area shelters that were set up at local hospitals.

“The work has been done,” Georgetown Mayor Brendon Barber said to the AP. “We just need to pray.”

Local law enforcement officials announced they were sending officers to Georgetown to help with flooding recovery and evacuations. High water rescue vehicles have also been stockpiled, and over 2 million sandbags have been placed on roadways throughout South Carolina.

Over 2,000 South Carolina national guard soldiers and airmen have deployed to the PeeDee area to help construct flood barriers and devise secondary plans of action where the Highway 17 “Ocean Highway” bridges converge at Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee Rivers in Winyah Bay.

Highway 17 and all bridges remained open as of early Tuesday morning.

#SCGuard Soldiers w/ 125th Multi Role Bridge Company team with the @uscoastguard & @SCDNR to practice bridging operations for critical vehicles if they become necessary w/anticipated flooding from #hurricaneflorence projected to impact Georgetown. @GCEMD #TeamSC @USNationalGuard pic.twitter.com/eZaRrppxH5

— SC National Guard (@SCNationalGuard) September 24, 2018

The AP reported that many store owners in the city's main business district were clearing out their inventory and moving it to higher ground.

“The anticipation has been nerve-wracking. Though, I’m glad we had the time to do this,” district manager Kevin Plexico told the AP.

At least 47 people have died across the Carolinas and Virginia from Florence.

The impacts of Florence's slow-moving disaster will be felt for weeks even after the floodwaters finally submerge.

AccuWeather estimates that Florence's total economic toll will be between $50 and 60 billion when considering factors such as damaged homes and cars as well as lost property, valuables and wages, according to AccuWeather Founder and President Dr. Joel N. Myers.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather News

‘Oh my God, we’re floating’: What people faced in amid Texas floods

Jul. 7, 2025
Weather News

The faces of the Texas flooding tragedy

Jul. 7, 2025
video

Rescue operations underway after deadly Texas flooding

Jul. 6, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather News

‘Oh my God, we’re floating’: What people faced in amid Texas floods

1 hour ago

Weather News

At least 82 dead in Texas, dozens still missing in flooding

52 minutes ago

Weather News

How torrential flooding wrought tragedy at girls camp in Texas

1 hour ago

Severe Weather

Severe weather to storm through Plains, Midwest this week

2 hours ago

Weather News

Madre Fire grows to 80,000 acres, becomes California’s largest wildfir...

5 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Health

Three hospitalized, 21 injured after bee attack in France

24 minutes ago

Weather News

France leads Europe in saying au revoir to beach and park smoking

3 days ago

Weather News

125,000-year-old ‘fat factory’ run by Neanderthals discovered

33 minutes ago

Weather News

‘Shark Whisperer’ swims its way into our shark obsession

2 days ago

Health

There is no safe amount of processed meat to eat, new research shows

4 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News 'We just need to pray:' Evacuations underway in Georgetown, South Carolina, as 'historic' flooding looms
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...