South Carolina's Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on November 8, 2024, due to extensive flash flooding in the eastern Midlands and parts of the Lowcountry. The declaration aims to equip response teams with necessary resources for ongoing recovery efforts.
The flooding resulted from a stalled weather front combined with deep tropical moisture, leading to significant rainfall in affected areas. Some regions experienced over fifteen inches of rain, resulting in multiple dam failures and road washouts.
In Orangeburg, the north fork of the Edisto River reached unprecedented levels, surpassing a record set in 1928 and eclipsing the flooding seen during the 2015 event known as 'Floodmaggedon.' According to the National Weather Service, the flooding was exacerbated by a foot of rain and several small dam failures in the North Fork Edisto Basin.
Mike Gagliardi, a tropical weather tracker, reported catastrophic flooding in downtown Orangeburg, affecting numerous homes and businesses. The infrastructure damage has been substantial, with more than 35 roads in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties closed due to flooding or flood-related damage. The South Carolina Department of Transportation has urged residents to avoid driving through these areas, especially after dark, emphasizing the dangers of flooded roadways.