Congaree River rising; next 24 hours could determine extent of statewide river flooding [SC]

Source: The State

Rivers across South Carolina continued to swell Saturday as local, federal and state officials watched nervously, worried that possible record floods could pound waterfront neighborhoods, damage public recreation areas and cause sewage spills.

The federal Southeast River Forecast Center listed more than a dozen rivers and creeks in South Carolina as being at some threat of flooding in the next few days, according to the agency’s website.

In the Columbia area, the Congaree River was of particular concern. Officials in Cayce were monitoring the rising water to determine if they would seek to evacuate some residential areas that have historically been prone to flooding.

A stretch of the river closest to Columbia had not reached flood stage Saturday afternoon, but that was expected to change by Monday morning, according to National Weather Service data. River forecast data show the Congaree in this area at near major flood levels by then.

Read more: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article37688955.html