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October 6, 2015

Flood waters Wreaking Havoc: the Latest from South Carolina.

Hurricane Joaquin

Hurricane Joaquin has devastated in South Carolina.

Although the hurricane itself missed hitting the coast, several weather conditions converged: there was a strengthening tropical storm in the south, an area of strong high pressure in Canada and tropical moisture from Hurricane Joaquin, itself, near the equator. To make matters worse, at the beginning on the weather event, a front changed direction along the Atlantic Seaboard.

The effect was like a giant firehose pointing straight at South Carolina. From 1 to 2 feet of rain has fallen over a broad area in the Carolinas, over a span of three to four days.

Although rains began on Thursday, October 1, 2015, rivers in South Carolina are not expected to crest until Thursday, October 8th.

“I have never seen rainfall this intense, in this large of an area and during this short of a period in absence of direct impact from a tropical storm or hurricane.” ~ Elliot Abrams, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist

It is being calling it the 1000 year flood.

Conditions are so dire that some government offices in South Carolina are still closed.

So far, 18 dams have broken and there have been 13 confirmed weather related fatalities.

40,000 folks were without clean drinking water.

It’s a dangerous to be living on the coasts. There is catastrophic flooding in the Southeastern United States as well as the South of France.

What can we do to help?

The Red Cross has put out a plea seeking volunteers. Volunteers are most needed in densely populated areas such as Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Upstate.

Those interested in helping out on the ground can visit the Red Cross South Carolina volunteer page.

Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: flickr/NASA

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