Flash Flood — Richland, South Carolina

2025-09-20 · near Olympia Mills, Richland, South Carolina

Event narrative

USGS Rocky Branch Creek stream gauge measured a stream level rising above flood stage at 7.23 ft at 15:10, cresting at 7.57 ft at 15:24, and falling below flood stage (7.2 ft) at 15:31.

Wider weather episode

Widespread pulse thunderstorms produced locally heavy rain across the Midlands, including isolated flash flooding in the Columbia metro in the evening of September 20th. Above average precipitable water, a weak approaching trough, and little wind shear produced slow moving storms with highly efficient rain rates of 3-4 inches per hour.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.9873, -81.0297)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1294827. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.