Updated feed: Florence crawls through South Carolina toward Sumter
Stay tuned at this feed throughout the day as we continue to update it with information on Florence and her impacts in Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties and the surrounding Carolinas.
12:10 p.m.
Tropical Depression Florence was located 40 miles west of Columbia and 215 miles southwest of Raleigh, North Carolina, traveling north-northwest at 10 mph, as of 11 a.m.
Maximum susained winds were recorded at 35 mph, according to an 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Florence is expected to weaken even more within the next 48 hours.
Rainfall will produce catastrophic flash flooding and prolonged significant river flooding in some areas of northeastern South Carolina where flash flood warnings are already in effect.
Plan ahead for cross-state travel
Sumter Police Department encourages those who must travel across the state to go to this S.C. Department of Transportation link to plan a safe route before hitting the road.
Power outages
Duke Energy: 317 customers without power in Sumter County: 5 in Clarendon County; and 635 in Lee County.
Black River Electric: Three outages reported in Sumter County and six in Lee County.
Santee Electric: 18 outages reported in Clarendon County.
--- By Item Staff Reporter Adrienne Sarvis
8:50 a.m.
As of 5 a.m. Sunday, Florence weakened to a tropical depression, traveling west across South Carolina at 8 mph, that is forecasted to fizzle out during the next few days, according to the National Hurricane Center's 5 a.m. advisory.
The storm was located about 20 miles southwest of Columbia with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph with higher gusts.
Heavy rain from Florence is expected to cause flash flooding in norther parts of South Carolina as well as exacerbate river flooding.
A few tornadoes remain possible in parts North Carolina and in eastern South Carolina throughout the day and into the night, states the advisory.
Power outages
Duke Energy: 476 customers are without power in Sumter County; 73 in Clarendon County; and 602 in Lee County.
Black River Electric: No outages reported.
Santee Eletric: 16 outages reported in Clarendon County.
Pee Dee Electric: No outages reported.
By 5 p.m. on Saturday, Duke Energy had restored to more than 637,000 customers out of the 1.1 million outages in South Carolina and North Carolina, according to a news release.
However, the company expected more customers to lose power as Florence continued to move accross South Carolina that evening.
To report power outages, text "OUT" to 57801 or go to www.dukeenergyupdates.com.
Duke Energy Carolinas customers can call 800-769-3766 and Duke Energy Carolinas customers can call 800-419-6356 to report outages.
--- By Item Staff Reporter Adrienne Sarvis
3 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 16
While flash flooding and major river flooding is still expected in significant portions of the Carolinas, Tropical Storm Florence is anticipated to become Tropical Depression Florence "very soon," according to a 2 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Heavy and excessive rainfall is anticipated for northern portions of South Carolina, bringing 5 to 10 inches of rain and 15 inches of rain in some areas.
Tropical-storm-force wind gusts are also expected to come inland.
Florence is located about 25 miles southeast of Columbia and 70 miles west-southwest of the city of Florence. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles to the east of the center of the storm over the coast and water.
Maximum sustained winds are recorded at 40 mph, with higher gusts, as Florence travels at 6 mph.
The storm is expected to increase in forward speed as it turns northwest today followed by a turn toward the north and northeast with an additional increase in forward speed on Monday, states the advisory.
SCDOT prepares for possible flooding along U.S. 378
South Carolina Department of Transportation and its Team South Carolina partners will begin work to construct flood barriers on two locations of U.S. 378 in the Pee Dee region today, according to a news release.
The barriers will protect the highway from floodwaters that are expected to flow overtop the bridges by Tuesday.
Those two locations are: U.S. 378 at Lynches River, approximately two miles east of Lake City, and the U.S. 378 interchange at the U.S. 501 Bypass in Conway.
Construction is anticipated to be complete by Monday evening.
Motorists should expect delays and alternative traffic patterns in the vicinity of these two work zones.
Through the work of 21 maintenance crews from the upstate and midlands deployed by 5 p.m. on Saturday, SCDOT has cleared all roads of trees and debris in the counties affected by the storm except for a few locations involving downed power lines, states the release.
However, SCDOT urges drivers to continue to use extreme caution on the roads and to obey reduced speed limits when driving through work zones, especilally at aforementioned work sites on U.S. 378.
Power outages
Duke Energy: 475 customers without power in Sumter County; 73 in Clarendon County; and 601 in Lee County.
Black River Electric: One outage reported in Sumter County and no outages reported in Clarendon and Lee counties:
Santee Electric: 13 outages reported in Clarendon County.
Pee Dee Electric: No outages reported.
--- By Item Staff Reporter Adrienne Sarvis
7:20 p.m.
Florence has now claimed 11 people since arriving to the Carolinas.
The dead included a mother and baby killed when a tree fell on a house in Wilmington, North Carolina. South Carolina recorded its first death from the storm, with officials saying a 61-year-old woman was killed when her car hit a tree that had fallen across a highway.
Three died in one inland county, Duplin, because of water on roads and flash floods, the sheriff's office said. A husband and wife died in a house fire linked to the storm, officials said, and an 81-year-old man died after falling and hitting his head while packing to evacuate.
--- The Associated Press
7 p.m.
Evacuation orders for Horry and Georgetown counties will be lifted Sunday at 9 a.m. Earlier Saturday, Gov. Henry McMaster lifted evacuation orders for all other previously evacuated zones.
Also beginning Sunday at 9 a.m., the governor’s executive order includes restoring local officials’ authority over school schedules, and all state government offices will be open for normal business hours on Monday in all previously evacuated zones.
There may still be blocked and detoured roads, and travel times may be lengthy, so residents returning home are asked to have patience and to not drive around barricades or use emergency lanes that are needed for first responders.
While weather conditions have improved, motorists should remain cautious for fallen or falling trees, power lines and standing water in and around roadways. Power outages may still last for several days.
Avoid flood waters or standing water. Do not use streams, rivers or the ocean for drinking, bathing or swimming due to the possibility of bacteria, waste water or other contaminants. Avoid wading through water due to the possibility of sharp objects, power lines or other hazardous debris that may be under the surface.
--- By Item Editor Kayla Robins
6:45 p.m.
A lake wind advisory is in effect in Sumter County through Sunday at 8 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
The agency’s Columbia location indicated winds of 10-20 knots with gusts of up to 35 knots are expected through early Sunday morning, causing rough waves on area lakes that will create hazardous conditions for small craft.
“Small boats will be especially prone to capsizing,” the advisory says.
Other cities under the advisory include: Lincolnton, Thomson, Martinez, Evans, Augusta, Haphzibah, Waynesboro, Lancaster, Elgin, Lancaster Mill, Cheraw, Pageland, McCormick, Newberry, Winnsboro, Winnsboro Mills, Camden, Lugoff, Edgefield, Johnston, Saluda, Ridge Spring, Seven Oaks, West Columbia, Cayce, Lexington, Red Bank, Oak Groce, Columbia, Bishopville, Aiken, North Augusta, Sumter, Barnwell, Williston, Blackville, Orangeburg, Brookdale, St. Matthews, Manning, Summerton, Bamberg and Denmark.
6:30 p.m.
As Florence continues to bring rain to the region, a flash flood warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. on Sunday, according to an update from the city of Sumter.
About 1 to 2 inches of rain are expected.
Shelley Kile, spokeswoman for the city, said no major damage within the city has been reported yet.
Two shelters, Sumter High School at 2580 McCrays Mill Road and Mayewood Middle School at 4300 East Brewington Road, remain open.
As of 4 p.m., there were 76 people at Sumter High School and 91 at Mayewood Middle School. Both shelters are under the auspice of the American Red Cross and S.C. Department of Social Services.
Pets are not allowed at either location.
High winds are still possible, so residents are urged to stay indoors so roads remain clear for first responders.
Sumter Police Department reminds residents to limit phone calls and the duration of phone calls to prevent cell towers from becoming inundated during potential weather events.
For all non-emergency calls, dial (803) 436-2700.
--- By Item Staff Reporter Adrienne Sarvis
5:10 p.m.
Five airports in the path of Florence remain closed with reopening dates set for Sept. 16 or 17th:
New Bern, North Carolina (to reopen Sept. 16)
Florence, South Carolina (to reopen Sept. 16)
Goldsboro, North Carolina/Johnson Air Force Base (to reopen Sept. 17)
Wilmington, North Carolina (to reopen Sept. 16)
Berkley County, South Carolina (to reopen Sept. 17)
5 p.m.
Power companies said they worked feverishly through late Friday and all day Saturday to restore power to individual homes and businesses in the region in the wake of Hurricane Florence.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Black River Electric Cooperative reported less than 100 outages remaining in its four-county service area of Sumter, Clarendon, Lee and Kershaw counties, with the vast majority of those in Kershaw.
“We just broke the 100 mark,” said James Moye, BREC’s vice president of engineering.
At the worst point early Saturday morning, Moye said about 5,000 BREC customers – homes and/or businesses – had outages reported.
He said BREC linemen planned to have everyone’s power back on by Saturday night.
But, the tail-end of the storm could bring more outages, weather meteorologists have said.
Duke Energy Progress, which also has customers in Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties, had also worked its outage totals down considerably by late Saturday afternoon.
As of 5:30 p.m. Saturday, about 850 of Duke’s 31,346 customers in Sumter County were still without power. At 8 a.m. Saturday, that total was 3,728.
Most of Duke’s customers in Sumter County are within the City of Sumter.
A total of 178 Duke Energy customers in Clarendon were without power as of 5:30 p.m. That number had decreased from 864 at 8 a.m. Saturday.
--- By Item Staff Reporter Bruce Mills
3 p.m.
The best way for Duke Energy customers to report a power outage during or after Florence is to call its toll-free number, 800-419-6356, said Shawna Berger, a Duke Energy spokeswoman on Saturday. She said an outage only needs to be reported one time.
Duke Energy Progress reports there are currently 3,300 outages for their customers (homes or businesses) in Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties. Most of Duke's customers in Sumter are within the City of Sumter.
THe 3,300 outage total is out of 43,120 customers in the three counties, or about 0.8 percent:
Sumter: 2,068
Clarendon: 142
Lee: 1,090
--- By Item Staff Reporter Bruce Mills
2 p.m.
Black River Electric Cooperative reports outages for thier customers in their four0county service area are down to 548 individual homes or businesses. BREC serves portions of Sumter, Clarendon, Lee and Kershaw counties.
Outages reported as of 2 p.m. by BREC:
Sumter: 66
Clarendon: 21
Lee: 78
Kershaw: 383
At its height, BREC had 3,500 outages reported across the four counties on Friday night/Saturday morning out of the 32,000 invidiaul accounts it serves.
A BREC representative said the co-op began work Saturday at 6 a.m. and plans to continue to work restore power until 9 p.m. Saturday.
--- By Item Staff Reporter Bruce Mills
11:20 a.m.
Gov. Henry McMaster has listed the evacuation orders for all residents in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties, along with Edisto Beach in Colleton County, effective at noon Saturday.
Evacuation orders for zones in Georgetown and Horry counties remain in effect as local law enforcement and officials continue to assess areas for potential dangers.
Returning residents are encouraged to exercise patience and expect lengthy travel times, blocked roadways, or detours back to evacuated areas and are asked not to drive around barricades or use emergency lanes that are needed for first responders, according to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
While the weather conditions have improved, motorists should be cautious of fallen trees, downed power lines, and standing water in and around roadways. Citizens also should anticipate power outages at their homes or businesses, which may last for several days.
A decision on state government offices and school closings will be made once local emergency management and law enforcement officials have accessed damage and existing shelter needs.
There are still 170,000 power outages throughout the state, and officials are still warning residents to avoid flood waters or standing water.
--- By Item Editor Kayla Robins
11 a.m.
Florence is 40 miles south of the city of Florence and heading west at 2 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
Tropical storm warnings have been discontinued south of South Santee River and north of Cape Lookout.
Shaw Air Force base is recording winds of 35 mph.
More than 2,100 Sumter County customers remain without power.
8 a.m.
Florence is expected to weaken to a tropical depression as it continues its westward crawl over South Carolina at a reported speed of 2 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. advisory.
Maximum sustained winds have reportedly dropped to 50 mph as the storm was located about 35 miles west of Myrtle Beach this morning.
Sustained winds of 44 mph with gusts to 51 mph have been recorded along North Carolina's southeastern coast.
"Prolonged significant river flooding" is expected as rain continues.
Sumter County opened the spillway gates of Second Mill Dam Tuesday morning so rain waters could continuously flow in Pocalla Swamp, or Green Swamp, located behind the dam. Water levels at the swamp could be higher than usual.
Tropical-storm-force wind gusts continue to spread inland over South Carolina and North Carolina.
Tornadoes are possible in northeastern South Carolina today through tonight.
There are 3,728 Duke Energy customers without power in Sumter County; 864 in Clarendon County; and 1,257 in Lee County.
Black River Electric is reporting 1,065 customers without power in Sumter County; 28 in Clarendon County; and 886 in Lee County.
There are 236 Santee Electric customers without power in Clarendon County and still one Pee Dee Electric customer without power in Lee County.
--- By Item Staff Reporter Adrienne Sarvis
2 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 15
Tropical Storm Florence is reported to have maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and is headed west-southwest over South Carolina at approximately 5 mph as it causes "catastrophic flooding" in some areas of South Carolina and North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center's 2 a.m. advisory.
This motion of travel is expected to continue through Saturday morning.
Florence is located about 25 miles west of Myrtle Beach and about 40 miles south-southeast of Florence.
The storm is expected to gradually weaken as it continues to move further inland before turning northward through the Carolinas and the Ohio Valley by Monday.
Inland portions of South Carolina affected by Florence are expected to receive 5 to 10 inches of rain, with 15 inches in some areas. This rainfall will cause life-threatening flash flooding in some areas of the state, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Local law enforcement encourages residents to stay off the roads unless it is absolutely necessary to travel.
Call 911 if there is an emergency or dial (803) 436-2700 for non-emergency calls.
Duke Energy reports 3,135 customers without power in Sumter County; 776 in Clarendon County; and 836 in Lee County.
There are 1,056 Black River Electric customers without power in Sumter County; 356 in Clarendon County; and 788 in Lee County.
Santee Electric Cooperative reports 190 customers without power in Clarendon County and Pee Dee Electric reports one customer with power in Lee County.
--- By Item Staff Reporter Adrienne Sarvis