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Screven County continues to cope with worst flooding in memory

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Screven County continues to cope with worst flooding in memory

NEWINGTON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Deputies are hopeful the Eureka Road and dam will be reopened Friday afternoon after residents were advised to evacuate over fears of a possibly imminent dam failure after Tropical Storm Debby dumped double-digit amounts of rain.

A Screven County deputy told us Friday morning that crews had been laying down dirt for two days straight and finally stopped late Thursday night because they were in a good spot.

They came back Friday morning at about 7 am to start again and got three more trucks of dirt down, the deputy said.

The deputy said everyone hopes Eureka Road and the dam will be back open by Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, an urgent flood advisory remains in effect for people living along the Edisto River in Bamberg County.

The alerts came as Debby made a second landfall near Bulls Bay, SCand Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp extended a state of emergency to Aug. 15.

Screven County

The Eureka Road dam was heavily damaged in Debby’s deluge Tuesday and Wednesday, and crews worked throughout Wednesday and into the night to repair it.

Despite that, officials feared it would fail, and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security issued an evacuation alert around 5:30 on Thursday.

The alert warned of potentially life-threatening flooding with large amounts of fast-moving water.

The Screven County Sheriff’s Office said deputies evacuated everyone who wanted to go.

Then repairs kicked into high gear all day Thursday. Truck after truck brought in dirt to fill the gaps in the dam.

The mood had been jovial and optimistic along the road Wednesday, with community members and public employees pitching in.

Water nearly surrounds this mobile home along Hiltonia Creek Road in Burke County after...

But officials were all business Thursday, threatening to arrest anyone caught on the closed road and dam.

Crews started the day by bringing in dirt from the county pit near the airport, but soon depleted the supply and started using soil from wherever they could find it. Georgia Lawn Care is helping with the search.

Finally by Thursday afternoon, officials were optimistic the dam would hold.

State Sen. Max Burns, who’s from Screven County, was confident the repairs would sound and the dam would stand.

The closure of the road left several people stranded on the other side, and officials said they’d have to stay put.

But crews were able to get in and evacuate a 19-year-old new mother so she and her baby could get the care they need.

There’s major concern for people who live in the area because these are their homes, with all their possessions inside, and they don’t know if anything will be there if the dam breaks.

And there’s a major bridge downstream that local leaders don’t want to be washed away because Screven County can’t function without it.

Tropical Storm Debby caused this washout of Eureka Road in Screven County, shown Aug. 7, 2024.
Tropical Storm Debby caused this washout of Eureka Road in Screven County, shown Aug. 7, 2024.(WRDW)

Eureka Road itself is a lifeline for the people who live on it.

“This is a dead-end road,” said Codie Toole. “You got one way in, one way out.”

“Obviously, we didn’t know it was this much rain, but it was, it was a lot of rain,” Toole said. “Obviously, the road is – it ain’t much, ain’t much you could do with it.”

The Screven County Emergency Management Agency also said Thursday that the bridges on Old Creek Road, which is near the dam, and Thomasboro Road were closed to traffic until further notice. These bridges have been deemed unsafe and pose a risk to traffic.

Barricades have been placed at both locations.

Late Thursday afternoon, the Screven County Sheriff’s Office said a train was stopped in Rocky Ford because trees had fallen across the tracks. Work crews were on the way to clear the trees.

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Knee-high water was flowing across Union Church Road – overflow from a nearby creek.

Authorities warn people to stay out of the water because you just don’t know what might be in it, from snakes to sewage. News 12 even found a crawfish crawling through the water on the road.

Large swaths of Screven County were flooded, with people having to use boats to get to their homes. That’s the reality for many residents, and there’s no end in sight for them yet.

Other people are stranded in their homes.

PHOTO GALLERY | SCREVEN COUNTY WASHOUTS:

At every turn in Screven County, a road is closed, pavement is washed away or culverts are exposed.

But agencies have all hands on deck to try to bring in the relief, with the National Guard even helping out. And the public is appreciative, with people even bringing food to some of the emergency workers.

We ran into two local teenage girls who said they’re inspired by the support they see flowing in.

“It’s amazing. “It really is,” said Kaygen Walker.

Nani Clifton agreed.

“I feel like you don’t see that a lot, especially with bigger places like Augusta, Savannah” she said. “People don’t come together like how small towns do because they do know that it’s all that they have. … We do need to come together because people are losing their homes and losing the only place that they’ve ever known.”

Bamberg County

The Bamberg County government on Thursday issued an urgent advisory for residents living along the Edisto River. Due to recent heavy rainfall, there is significant potential risk of flooding in the area over the next few days.

State law enforcement agencies said they were sending boat teams to patrol sections of the river.

As of 3:30 pm Thursday, the Edisto River was already at 11.6 feet just below the moderate flood stage of 12 feet. The river is forecast to crest around 14.5 feet Sunday morning.

BY NUMBERS:

  • South Carolina Emergency Management Director Kim Stenson said Debby was responsible for damage to around 70 homes in the state, causing major damage to 15 homes and destroying one. Counties reported damage to 16 businesses. State officials have already started assessments of the state’s 62 dams that were identified as risks, completing 40 assessments and finding no urgent issues.

The National Guard left a few vehicles stationed nearby in the event of rescues.

Residents are urged to stay alert and monitor local news for updates. Rising water levels could pose a serious threat to life and property. If waters begin to rise to dangerous levels, residents should evacuate immediately to ensure their safety.

Sandbags to help protect property are available at 2983 Main Highway in Bamberg. Be prepared to fill and transport the sandbags yourself.

If evacuation becomes necessary, a shelter has been established and the location will be released if it’s needed. Necessities and a safe place to stay will be provided until conditions improve.

BAMBERG COUNTY FLOODING | PHOTO GALLERY:

People should have an emergency kit ready, including essential items such as medications, important documents and basic supplies.

If an evacuation is required, leave immediately, officials say.

Barnwell County

Daniel Steele’s yard in Williston is so far underwater – 2 to 3 feet – that he has to paddle around it in a boat.

He has many farm animals. At least, he did before the flooding.

All his furniture was in a storage shed because the family was remodeling their house. And now it’s all ruined because the shed flooded.

“We’ve lost well over 100 animals as far as birds and stuff like that, rabbits, turkeys – it’s been considerable,” he said.

Daniel Steele paddles through his yard in Williston on Aug. 8, 2024.
Daniel Steele paddles through his yard in Williston on Aug. 8, 2024.(WRDW)

And so many possessions are lost, too.

“Cars, trucks, everything we own is pretty much underwater,” he said.

What’s next?

“Honestly, we don’t know. We’re not going to leave the animals behind. “We’ve saved a few already,” he said, by getting them dried off and warmed up.

“We want to be here to try to keep what we can,” he said.

“We’re just asking for prayers now that we can ride it out.”

He hopes people become aware of the need for help in situations like this.

“Just because all of Barnwell County doesn’t get wiped out doesn’t mean there aren’t people with major loss,” he said.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

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