DORCHESTER COUNTY, SC (WCSC) – Dorchester County leaders held a meeting Sunday afternoon to provide an update on the county’s efforts to deal with ongoing flooding from Tropical Storm Debby.
One of the common themes of this meeting, held Sunday afternoon at the Dorchester County Emergency Operations Center in Summerville, was patience.
Thomas McNeal, Dorchester County’s emergency management director, said the storm caused widespread flooding, especially along the county’s rivers.
“The Ashley River has risen to 25.31 feet and the Edisto River reached 17.21 feet overnight,” he said. “These levels are well above normal and continue to pose a serious threat to our communities.”
He said the county remains at risk of torrential rains associated with thunderstorms expected to move into the region.
The county’s emergency operations center was activated last Sunday and is still coordinating efforts across all departments to ensure safety, he said.
Dorchester County Deputy Police Chief Sam Richardson warned residents that there would be rush hour problems Monday morning, Monday evening and “possibly for the next few days.”
“I want everyone to remember that this is going to be a challenging time for all of us,” he said. “I want to preach patience, patience, patience, patience.”
Dr. Shane Robbins, superintendent of Dorchester’s 2nd District, said as of now, classes in the district will begin on Tuesday, but added that the district will monitor flooding and road conditions.
“We want to do our part by keeping the roads safe so that emergency responders can do their jobs to get things reopened and back to normal as quickly as possible,” he said.
Robbinis said county leaders would try to decide either late Sunday night or early Monday morning if the start date could change.
Dorchester District 4 Superintendent Jeffrey Beckwith, whose district postponed the first day of school until Wednesday, urged parents to stay home if they did not feel safe on the streets.
“Contact your school and your principals and they will work with you,” he said. “Nothing is more important than life and we will be able to support you as best we can if you just let us know.”
All rights reserved.
