BAMBERG, SC (WRDW/WAGT) – More than 120 roads in Orangeburg County remain closed or blocked due to damage from last week’s flooding, and schools were closed Monday across the county.

Officials said about 126 roads across the county are closed due to concentrated water in the Neeses area.

Orangeburg County and other areas of eastern South Carolina are still reeling from major flooding caused by last week’s heavy rains. Many areas received 10 to 15 inches of rain.

Some people living along the Edisto River are evacuating in Colleton County, and Bamberg and Orangeburg counties are under flood warnings along the river.

Although Bamberg County students returned to class Monday, Orangeburg County School District officials decided to keep schools closed for a third day.

“This decision is critical and comes as more than 140 roads in our county are closed, making safe transportation to and from school impossible,” the district said in a Facebook post.

“We are actively collaborating with local and state emergency management officials who are diligently assessing conditions and working to establish safe routes for our school buses and families.”

The closures come after schools across the county experienced power outages due to heavy rain and flooding.

Robert E. Howard Middle School experienced flooding under the gates and a power outage.

Bethune-Bowman Elementary School also experienced a power outage. However, all electricity has been restored.

According to Superintendent Shawn Foster, at least two schools saw their media centers flooded.

Flooding has impacted major water lines, making it difficult for many Orangeburg County residents to find fresh drinking water.

The Neeses Fire Department and the South Carolina State Guard are helping provide this resource to area residents, distributing bottled water to those in need.

“We have set up a distribution point at the Neeses Fire Department where the public can come pick up bottled water for free,” Staley said. “If you live in this community, this might help alleviate some of that.”

More than 100 roads remain closed in Orangeburg County.

In Colleton County, firefighters are evacuating people near the community of Whetstone Crossroads. Residents tell them the water level is higher now than it was after Tropical Storm Debby.

MPs say residents should “heed the warnings and prepare to leave before it is too late”.

Authorities said the river could continue to rise for several days.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster have both declared states of emergency for counties affected by catastrophic flooding and road damage.

In Georgia, the state of emergency will last until Wednesday in areas including Emanuel, Jefferson and Screven counties.

McMaster’s executive order activates South Carolina’s emergency operations plan and complements flood response efforts in the Midlands and Lowcountry regions.

“The state of emergency will ensure our response teams have all the tools necessary to continue their efforts,” McMaster said.

After a very dry month of October, many people are now having to deal with the damage caused by flash floods.

Flooding caused cancellations and delays in school districts, including Aiken and Orangeburg counties.

In Orangeburg County, a portion of the roadway was severely damaged by washouts, resulting in dozens of roads closed.

In Aiken County, the intersection of University Parkway and Vaucluse Road was closed.

In Emanuel County, high water closed the bridge on Highway 80 at 15 Mile Creek, just outside Twin City, heading toward Portal. The Emanuel County Board of Commissioners announced several more road closures within its boundaries. Facebook page.

Many areas received 7 to 10 inches of rain, with totals up to 15 inches in some localized areas, and flooding of the Edisto River is expected to continue into the next week.

Schools were closed Thursday and Friday in Orangeburg County, while Bamberg County schools held online learning days Thursday and Friday, and the school day was delayed Thursday in Aiken County .

It’s a similar situation in Bamberg County, which has been hit repeatedly this year by severe weather.

At first glance, some areas look like lakes, but they are actually roads.

In Bamberg County, resident Paul Eubanks says: “We live in a swamp. Most of Bamberg County is in a swampy area.”

This is a place used to seeing a lot of rain.

“No rain like that, not like that. Those two nights it just rained and rained and rained and rained,” Eubanks said.

The rain engulfs the roads with water.

“Here the water was coming up right behind these benches, almost up to this tree,” he said. “A few outbuildings were washed away and we had water under a few houses, which could be a problem.”

PHOTO GALLERY: FLOODING IN ORANGEBURG COUNTY

If you ask Eubanks, he says his family is lucky to be where they are.

“We are in pretty good shape here. We are on fairly high ground. In other places, like over there closer to the Hunters Chapel community and the Edisto River Road community, we have homes there that are now in the water,” Eubanks said.

Some areas are constantly recovering.

“We have some roads that we just repaired after the last rain, and the culverts burst. We have a few small bridges washed out,” Eubanks said.

Alisha Moore, Bamberg County Public Information Officer, said, “I don’t think we ever completely got over Debbie, because right after Debbie came Helen. Because we are used to it and we face it season after season. You know, people already know what to do.

Emergency officials already know which roads to watch for in the event of rain.

“Roads like Half Moon and Sweet Pea are constantly flooded. These roads are still underwater. We are in the process of trying to find the funding we need to solve the drainage problem. But you know, one thing at a time, and I hope we get there, and I know we get there,” Moore said.

In the meantime, Eubanks said, “you have to prioritize things, and it’s frustrating because you see so many things that need to be done.” You can’t not do it, we just can’t do them all at once.

Residents are urged to avoid driving in areas that could be heavily affected and not to use flooded roads.

Edisto Deputy Fire Chief Jordan Demsey participated in a water rescue around 8 a.m. Friday after a car left that broken bridge and entered Roberts Swamp.

Demsey said both passengers suffered minor injuries but were able to get out of the vehicle before he arrived. He believes water levels on the Edisto River continue to rise and many closures are due to roads and bridges washing away.

He urges people to stay away from areas that are still closed like Binnicker Bridge Road, saying people are putting their lives at risk by ignoring the barricades.

“If you fall into that water, or if you get stuck under asphalt that’s also under that water, then you won’t be able to find your way back,” Dempsey said, “You may be disoriented and not know what The road is uphill, which is why we say it’s best to stay away from any road closures.

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