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McMaster Says More Flooding To Come

SCETV
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster gives an update on flooding from Florence.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster confirmed there have been six deaths in the state attributed to Hurricane Florence. The latest fatality was Rhonda Hartley, 30, who died Sunday in a car crash due to floodwaters in Lexington County.

McMaster warned South Carolina residents of continued hazards due to flooding.

“The flooding is coming. The flooding — the main flooding — hasn’t yet reached this area,” he said.

Department of Natural Resources Director Alvin Taylor warned people of a double crest in areas near rivers. He spoke specifically of Conway, South Carolina, which surrounds the Waccamaw River.

“What we’ll see that will be unusual is the river will come up and it will seem to stop rising, or crest,” he said. “Then we will get that next wave of water out of North Carolina, which will then cause it to rise again. So we may have not two flood events, but a pause in the flood event and a rise again.”

Taylor told people to not let their guard down when rivers crest the first time, but to wait until the tide lowers. He said the final crests are expected Sunday or Monday.

South Carolina Department of Transportation’s Christy Hall said there are approximately 200 road closures, 40 of them on main roads.

Officials said there are 328 people staying in the 13 shelters across the state.

When asked about rumors of President Trump’s visit to the Carolinas, McMaster said he awaits official announcements from the White House.

“They’ll be making all of those announcements, but of course we are very happy to have the President here,” McMaster said. “He’s been here in spirit through his communications, and those of his cabinet members and agencies since this began.”