South Carolina, Georgia face renewed threat of flash flooding after record rains slam Charleston
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for much of southeast Georgia and South Carolina, including Charleston, through Saturday.
Southeast flash flood risk persists through weekend
Georgia and South Carolina remain in the risk for flash flooding this weekend as a stalled front hangs over the southeast. Charleston, South Carolina, was soaked with heavy rainfall on Friday evening, leading to flash flooding.
CHARLESTON, S.C.– A slow-moving cold front hanging over South Carolina and Georgia is bringing a renewed risk of flash flooding through the weekend.
The almost-stalled front has plagued the South through most of the week. The strong flow behind Hurricane Erin allowed for pooling of atmospheric moisture along this nearly stationary front.
The combination of elevated moisture and instability allows for storms capable of producing very heavy rainfall.
(FOX Weather)
Flood Watches were effect for much of Georgia and southern South Carolina, including Charleston, which Friday broke its daily rainfall record set in 2008. The city received 4.16 inches of rain, of which 2.25 inches fell in just a half hour.
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(FOX Weather)
The heavy downpours flooded dozens of roads throughout the Charleston area. Video from Charleston showed the progression of the flooding, with light rain and minimal street flooding to start off.
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Flooding slams Charleston during record rainfall event
Nearly two inches of rain fell in just 30 minutes on Friday evening in Charleston, South Carolina. The area is under a Flash Flood Watch through Sunday morning.
As the video progressed, the rain became heavier. Cars drove through badly flooded streets.
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center again issued a level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk for coastal areas in southeastern South Carolina and Georgia, including Charleston and Savannah, Georgia, for Saturday. Many areas will receive 1-2 inches of rain, but some isolated areas along the coast could see 4-6 inches of rain.
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reported from Charleston on Saturday morning, where heavy rainfall was falling once again.
"You're going to need an umbrella and your rain gear on, out today in Charleston," Byrne said.
Byrne noted pools of water already from persistent downpours Saturday morning.
The fire district that services the Kiawah, Johns, Wadmalaw and Seabrook islands in South Carolina asked motorists to stay off the roadways due to flooding and washouts caused by the heavy rainfall.