Flash Flood — Dorchester, South Carolina

2015-10-03 to 2015-10-04 · near Summerville, Dorchester, South Carolina

Event narrative

An emergency manager for Dorchester County reported widespread flooding around Summerville, Ladson and Wescott Plantation. Widespread road closures, damage to homes and water rescues were made. Roads closed due to flooding included the 100 and 300 block of Dorchester Manor Boulevard, the 400 block of Trade Street, Hodge Road between Deming Way and Short Street, Azalea Drive near the intersection with OT Wallace Drive, Parson Road, Dorchester Road at the intersection with Sawmill Branch Creek, Mallard Road between Hill Street and the Habitat for Humanity, West Butternut Road, the 200 block of Lawrence Drive, Aberdeen Circle, Arbors Oak Drive, Renau Boulevard near the intersection with Industrial Road, Stratton Drive, Green Wave Boulevard, Old Trolley Road from Miles Jamison Road to Dorchester Road and Orangeburg Road at the intersection with Mallard Road.

Eagle Creek was also overflowing its banks and flooding multiple residences in Summerwood and Tranquil Estates. Water backed up a drainage canal, resulting in waist deep water in the middle of Arbor Oaks Drive. Approximately 2 feet of water was in 40 to 50 homes along Arbor Oaks Drive. Around 100 people were rescued from flooded areas along Old Trolley Road, Ladson Road and Miles Jamison Road.

Wider weather episode

A historic flooding event affected the Carolinas from October 1-7, 2015. A stalled front offshore combined with deep tropical moisture streaming northwest into the area ahead of a strong upper level low pressure system to the west and Hurricane Joaquin well to the east. This led to historic 4-day rainfall totals with widespread amounts of 15-20 inches and localized amounts over 25 inches, mainly in the Charleston Tri-County area. Flash flooding was prevalent for several days and eventually led to Flash Flood Emergencies for Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton counties during the morning hours of October 4, 2015. Many people had to be rescued by emergency personnel while significant damage occurred to numerous properties and roads. Tides were also historically high due to the recent perigean spring tide and persistent onshore winds, exacerbating and prolonging flooding across the area and along the coast, especially in downtown Charleston.

The most significant flooding occurred in areas along and near smaller creeks and streams, especially those that were tributaries to larger rivers such as the Edisto, Ashley, Cooper, and Santee. In addition to impacting thousands of homes and businesses, flood waters also damaged many roads and bridges in the area, causing significant travel disruptions that lasted for multiple days. Furthermore, some roads and bridges were so badly damaged that it will likely take weeks to months to repair.

As of 12/31/15, a SCEMD report indicated an estimated total monetary damage of $4,533,337 in Berkeley County, $18,213,860 in Charleston County, $2,030,879 in Colleton County and $6,186,909 in Dorchester County for the flood event. Total costs for each county have been divided equally to each flash flood report within that particular county for this flood event and are considered estimates only.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.8998, -80.0883)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 605778. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.