News Summary
Residents of the Pee Dee region should prepare for significant rainfall and rising river levels this weekend. The Great Pee Dee River is predicted to enter a minor flood stage, with cresting expected at 23 feet by February 18. Upstream conditions are similarly concerning, while local rainfall amounts have reached up to 19 inches in some areas. Safety measures are in place as communities respond to the rising threat of flooding.
Flooding Forecast for Great Pee Dee River and Surrounding Areas
Attention residents of the Pee Dee region! It looks like we’re gearing up for a wet weekend, with some interesting changes coming our way thanks to the Great Pee Dee River. As of February 14, we are expecting river flooding as the waters are predicted to rise not just this weekend, but into the week ahead. So, grab those raincoats and boots, and let’s dive into the details!
What’s Happening with the River Levels?
The Great Pee Dee River, especially at the Pee Dee gauge located between Florence County and Marion County, is forecast to rise into the Minor Flood Stage this weekend. That means water levels will start to climb significantly, and by Tuesday, February 18, we could see it cresting at a moderate flood stage of around 23 feet. Not ideal, right?
If you’re curious about the situation upstream, well, it’s not much better. The Great Pee Dee at the Cheraw gauge, which sits between Chesterfield and Marlboro Counties, is already in flood stages and is expected to crest at approximately 33.2 feet this Saturday. Luckily, it’s also forecasted to drop back below flood stage by Wednesday!
Why All This Rain?
So, what’s causing all this water? It turns out that some serious rainfall has been pouring down upstream in the river’s watershed over the past week. While the Pee Dee area itself is getting its share of water, neighboring regions, particularly to the northwest, have been experiencing even heftier downpours. It’s a classic case of the rain picking favorites!
What About Other Rivers?
Interestingly, while the Great Pee Dee River is experiencing these fluctuations, most other rivers in the Grand Strand, Border Belt, and Pee Dee regions are expected to stay below flood levels for at least a week. However, let’s not forget that even with some rivers flooding, the Pee Dee, Border Belt, and Grand Strand areas are still facing Moderate Drought Conditions as per the latest data.
A Closer Look at Current Conditions
Besides the Great Pee Dee, the Little Pee Dee River is making headlines too! After almost drying up in January, it’s now seeing “major” flood levels due to Tropical Storm Debby. The Little Pee Dee River at Galivants Ferry has soared to around 13.5 feet and is expected to peak at 13.7 feet soon. It looks like this river won’t be settling down anytime soon!
Meanwhile, the Waccamaw River is also seeing some flooding in areas like Conway and Longs, with current levels reaching around 12 feet and a predicted crest of 14 feet. Safety first, right?
Community Effects and Advisory
Rising water levels have already started impacting our communities, especially in Horry County, where 13 boat launches have been closed off to the public for safety reasons. As for rainfall amounts, Central Horry County has seen quite the soaking recently, with recorded rainfall around 19 inches following Tropical Storm Debby. Other areas like Loris reported about 17 inches, and the northern parts of the county experienced anywhere from 8 to 14 inches.
As meteorologists keep a watchful eye on the rivers, it’s clear that four rivers are currently in a minor flood stage while the Lumber River reaches a moderate flood stage. Residents are advised to stay alert to changing river conditions over the next several days.
Stay Safe!
With all these weather shifts, it’s crucial for everyone to remain informed through local emergency services. You never know when you might need to adjust plans due to rising water. Remember, safety first, raincoat second! Let’s hope for clearer skies ahead.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Great Pee Dee River Flooding Updates
- WMBF News: Little Pee Dee River Flooding
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local Flooding News
- WBTW: Little Pee Dee River Forecast
- Post and Courier: Pee Dee Flooding Analysis
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Google Search: Great Pee Dee River Flooding
- Google Scholar: Flooding in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- Google News: Flooding Pee Dee River
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
