The heavy rainfall from Florence is causing many rivers in North and South Carolina to flood, including the Waccamaw River.
Hurricane Matthew reached a record level of 17.9 feet. Florence could cause the Waccamaw to break that, with the National Weather Service forecasting over 18 feet.
As of 2:00 p.m. Monday, the Waccamaw is in major flood stage at 14.8 feet.
Some homes near the Savannah Bluff boat landing, an area hit hard by Category 1 Hurricane Matthew in 2016 are already submerged in feet of water.
People checked on their homes Monday by wading through dark water or boating/kayaking to them.
Those who live further up Waccamaw Drive, closer to Hwy 501, waded through the water to make trips to and from their cars that they parked on higher ground.
Some people, like Lee Wells and Ashlynne Weagraff, drove their trucks through the flood waters to bring back some of their belongings.
“I told him when we pulled up, I said ‘I don’t think this is a good idea,'” Weagraff said. “I do not think that we should drive through this, but here we are.”
Brenden Wellings said his family’s home still has power, but the bottom level is submerged in waist-deep water.
He and his seven month pregnant fiance moved some of their belongings to higher ground Monday.
Before the storm hit, the City of Conway knocked on doors urging people hit hard by Matthew to evacuate. But some people, like Wellings, say that’s not really an option.
“Closest family I have is in Virginia or Pennsylvania,” Wellings said. “Ain’t much else place to go. Might as well stay here and wait it out.”
The city is keeping a running log of people who decided to stay in flood-prone areas. It also has three high-water rescue vehicles ready to be sent out if needed.
Officials say it could take more than a month for waters to recede to a normal level.
