Federal Emergency Declared for South Carolina

White House declares an emergency exists in the State of South Carolina

South Carolina Severe Storms and Flooding (EM-3373)

The White House has declared an emergency exists in the State of South Carolina in all 46 South Carolina counties and the Catawba Nation affected by severe storms and [historic] flooding beginning on October 1, 2015, and continuing.

Torrential rains from a another weather system have triggered severe flooding across large portions of U.S. Southeast and mid-Atlantic states.

• At least six people have been killed in weather-related incidents.
• Hundreds of people have been evacuated in Brunswick County, North Carolina due to flooding.
• Flood and Flash Flood Warnings have been issued.
• Up to 30 million Americans along the East Coast were under flood watches Saturday amid a “once in 500-year rainfall event.”
• Charleston’s airport has so far recorded 330mm (13 inches) of rain, breaking a three-day record, NWS reported.
• Up to 60omm of rain threatens several areas in SC.
• Tens of thousands of residences are without power, as of posting.

Meanwhile, U.S. Coast Guard pilots continued their search for the cargo ship El Faro which went missing on Saturday, with 33 crew members on board, as Hurricane JOAQUIN moved toward Bermuda.

Potentially historic and life-threatening flooding continues across the Southeast —NOAA

The threat for widespread, catastrophic flooding will continue across parts of the Southeast through the remainder of the weekend, as tropical moisture feeding into an area of low pressure produces moderate to heavy rainfall across the region. Gusty winds are also possible, which could lead to downed power lines.

Hurricane JOAQUIN: at 11:00 PM AST Sat Oct 3
Location: 28.0°N, 68.9°W
Moving: NE at 30 km/hr
Min pressure: 944 mb
Max sustained: 210 km/hr (130 mph)
[NHC/NOAA]

The governors of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey have declared states of emergency, as of posting, mobilizing the National Guard troops to deal with potential disasters.

Related Links

• JOAQUIN Prompts States of Emergency Declarations in 5 States October 2, 2015

JOAQUIN Prompts States of Emergency Declarations in 5 States

States of Emergency declared in SC, NC, VA, MD and NJ ahead of hurricane JOAQUIN

JOAQUIN, strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane, pounded the central Bahamas with 215 kilometer per hour winds earlier today.

The governors of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey have declared states of emergency, as of posting, mobilizing the National Guard troops to deal with potential disasters.

The storm, 3rd hurricane of the 2015 Atlantic season, was classified as an “extremely dangerous,” by the National Hurricane Center:

8:00 AM EDT Fri Oct 2 –
Location: 23.4°N 74.8°W
Moving: NW at 5 km/hr
Min pressure: 937 mb
Max sustained winds: 215 km/hr (115 knot)

Heavy rain, flooding expected across parts of mid-Atlantic regardless of JOAQUIN forecast track —NHC

The forecast models continue to indicate a track for Hurricane Joaquin offshore of the United States East Coast from the Carolinas to the mid-Atlantic, and the threat of direct impacts from Joaquin in those areas is decreasing. Even if Joaquin remains offshore, strong onshore winds associated with a frontal system will create minor to moderate coastal flooding along parts of the East Coast.