Waters continue to rise as persistent flooding closes roads, prompts evacuations in Chesterfield

(WIS) - Flooding in Chesterfield County, SC is causing hurdles for local residents and those in shelters. Rising water levels have prompted road closures and evacuations, even after Hurricane Florence has left.

The Great Pee Dee River was up 12 feet on Monday and is expected to rise even higher as water makes its way from NC, according to Sheriff Jay Brooks.

With the water continuing to rise, officials highly recommended residents close to the river evacuate by 9 p.m. Monday. Areas of concern include Wallace in Marlboro County and Cheraw.

At least one shelter in the area has already been evacuated. Cheraw Community center started to experience flooding around Monday night and about 70 people had to be rescued.

Governor Henry McMaster praised the South Carolina National Guard, Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office, and Louisiana Swift Water team for their teamwork in evacuations.

"We had to go slow because we had elderly people in the back of the LMTVs so they did an outstanding job, I can't say enough about the 4th or the 118th," evacuee Barry Driggers said.

Roads in Chesterfield and Kershaw Counties were completely impassable Monday morning due to flooding of the Lynches River, which joins the Pee Dee. 

SC Hwy 903 (McBee Hwy) at the Chesterfield/Kershaw County line has since been reopened by SCDOT, according to Chris Jones with Buffalo-Mt. Pisgah Fire Department. Water levels have lowered on SC Hwy 903 from SC Hwy 151 in Chesterfield County to SC HWY 346 (Raley's Mill Rd) in Kershaw County.

However, John Munn Road at Munn Road remains closed.

Gov. McMaster says he will request federal disaster aid for Chesterfield County following the severe flooding. The county was not originally mentioned on President Trump's list for federal aid.

If you live in an area vulnerable to flooding, officials are urging those to play it safe and evacuate.

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