Never seen anything like this before: Haley.
By Raif Karerat
The death toll in South Carolina has risen to 9, while millions of state residents remained trapped inside their homes amidst historic rainfall and torrential flooding.
Rain was forecast to continue sporadically across much of the state until late Monday, reported USA Today, with rainfall totaling 2 feet being reported in some areas. A state of emergency was duly called on Thursday and state emergency responders have been scrambling to deal with hundreds of water-bound rescues.
Gov. Nikki Haley said 550 roads and bridges were closed. About 40,000 residences were without water, but many more were dealing with a boil order. About 26,000 had no power, she said.
“We are stronger today than we were yesterday,” Haley said at a news conference Monday. “Our angels in South Carolina continue to be our first responders.”
She also stated 1,300 National Guard personnel were working Monday, and thousands more were on alert. She said President Obama, who previously had issued a state of emergency to provide federal assistance, called her Monday and was “extremely gracious and kind” and offered additional assistance.
Haley had earlier told the Today Show that the state was “hanging in there,” despite the unprecedented rains.
“This is historic levels of rain. We’ve never seen anything like this before,” she said. “To see it all the way up in the upstate and the mountains — that’s not something we are use to.”
Experts said parts of South Carolina experienced a “1,000-year flood event,” meaning in any given year there is a 1-in-1,000 chance of observing such rainfall totals.
“Ninety-five percent of the damage has already been done in South Carolina and waters levels in most cases are beginning to recede,” said NBC News meteorologist Bill Karins. However, “Rivers all through South Carolina are running exceptionally high and will cause further damage into Wednesday even though it will be sunny by then,” he added.