River flooding outside Conway bars access to homes. People are wading, relying on boats
As the Waccamaw River inches closer to its flood stage, thanks to Tropical Storm Debby, neighborhood streets are swamped, with Conway area residents left to wade or use a boat to get home.
The storm which passed through Horry County last week dumped up to 19 inches of rain in some parts. As the floods from upstream make their way down the Waccamaw, it’s causing the river to rise.
Billie Jo Blake, who lives along Waccamaw Drive, said her backyard has around 5 feet of water, while her front yard has 3.5 feet. The water hasn’t seeped into her stilted home yet, but the flooding has made it very difficult to get to and from her house.
“The boat we bought, the new one, the bigger one, has a hole in it, so we’re walking through water,” Blake said.
The neighborhood is one spot heavily impacted by flooding from the Waccamaw River. The river is sitting at 14.46 feet and is expected to rise more to a crest at 14.8 feet on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
The flooding is so bad, along Waccamaw Drive, near the intersection of U.S. 501, there are no parking spots. But the cars are lined up along the road’s shoulder until the road goes underwater.
Flood waters flow over Lee’s Landing Circle Road near Conway on Friday. The Waccamaw River at Conway reached the major flood stage of over 14 feet on Friday following Tropical Storm Debby’s rains. The river is expected to crest this weekend. Aug. 16, 2024.
The river water is stained brown and there’s various pieces of trash and household items floating around, not to mention snakes, alligators and other critters hiding out. Tonya Richardson said she carries a gun with her when leaving the home as protection while Blake takes a knife.
Blake said friends have offered her family, which includes her husband, son and five dogs, to stay with them during the flood, but Blake is afraid of her house being robbed during the flood.
“I don’t trust people coming through,” Blake said. Richardson added, “they can get in your home if nobody’s watching.”
“It’s second-nature”
Blake bought her house in 2021, but did not realize the flooding that would come with it, she said. Blake added, she wishes she had spoken to more neighbors before purchasing the property.
“Don’t buy land on the river,” Richardson shared when asked what she wants readers to know. The majority of the time Richardson loves her community, but events like this are difficult, she said.
A boat is pulled alongside Waccamaw Drive near the Sure Stay Hotel at Savannah Bluff in Conway where residents use boats to access their homes surrounded by flood waters. The Waccamaw River at Conway reached the major flood stage of over 14 feet on Friday following Tropical Storm Debby’s rains. The river is expected to crest this weekend. Aug. 16, 2024.
Dealing with floods, especially after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, has become routine to those among Waccamaw Drive, Richardson said. Residents have their waders, boats and bottled water ready for when levels rise.
“It’s almost to the point where it’s second-nature, where we’ve adapted to it,” Blake said.
The damage is unknown
When asked what kind of help they’ll need, Blake and Richardson said they weren’t sure. Blake said she doesn’t know what the yards will look like when the water comes down. She expects yard work will be a top priority.
Once the river recedes, it will leave debris everywhere. This includes the floating trash, tree branches and a layer of smelly mud, Richardson said.
Blake hopes those who come to ogle at the floods will return to assist with cleanup in a few weeks.
Richardson said she gets irritated when people pull on to Waccamaw Drive to look at the flooding since they take away spaces on their makeshift driveway. People sometimes also bring their boats down which brings the risk of creating a wake and splashing water into their house.
“If you’re going to come here and take pictures, help the people,” Blake said.
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