Daniel Island spared devastation after record rains Estimated 1.9 billion gallons of rainwater saturates DI
As flood waters raged last weekend and earlier this week around parts of the greater Charleston region, the Columbia area, and other communities across the state, impacts on Daniel Island were fairly minimal. Despite estimates of about 18 inches of rainfall on the island, residents and businesses experienced only minor flooding in streets, yards, and public areas.
Based on a rainfall calculator provided on the U.S. Geological Survey’s website, it appears that aproximately 1.9 billion gallons of rainwater fell on the island’s 4,000 acres (thanks to island resident Mac McBride for doing the original calculation and sharing this online resource with us).
Flooding caused the Daniel Island Publix to close on Saturday, according to Kimberly Reynolds, company spokesperson. The store was expected to re-open Tuesday morning.
“The store had minimal flooding isolated to the back room and just a couple of areas across the sales floor as a result of waste water back-up, which was beyond our control,” stated Reynolds. “…The issue lasted until late Sunday. We opted not to open while we cleaned the store and until the rain subsided so that we could make sure there was no more potential for water to back up.”
The historic heavy rains also caused sewage to spew out of manholes in certain areas on the island, including Barfield Street, Corn Planters Street, and Seven Farms Drive near Cochran and Bounty Streets.
“The POA received notice on Saturday of a few sewer covers that were overflowing,” said Jane Baker, vice president of community services for the Daniel Island Property Owners Association. “Charleston Water Service dispatched a crew about two hours later to assess and returned Sunday to secure and clean up.”
“The areas (on Daniel Island) have been cleaned and disinfected and, as a precautionary measure, signs have been posted on ponds that may have been impacted by the overflows,” stated John Atkinson, director of human resources and interim communications director for CWS. “Residents are advised not to come into contact with the water or fish in any of the posted areas until we have results from water quality tests.”
Atkinson reported that CWS will work with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to perform sampling and will remove signs when the quality of the ponds returns to normal. He further stated that sewer overflows in these areas would not impact drinking water quality in any way, adding that “drinking water quality remains excellent” and that it is not necessary to boil water. Atkinson asked residents to contact CWS at (843) 727-6800 to report problems.
On Monday afternoon, a landscaping company on the island reported the discovery of a sink hole in a park near Balfour Street in Daniel Island Park. The area was cordoned off for safety. Other than that, and water temporarily gathering on streets during the storm, problems on the island were few, stated Baker.
“We were very fortunate not to have much standing water anywhere on the island,” she said. “…The only danger now is water-logged trees that could be hazardous. Our maintenance and tree contractors continue to assess the condition of trees all over the island. We do ask property owners to inform us of any trees in common areas or at parks and playgrounds that look compromised.”
In addition, there were no reported issues with the island’s water systems, added Baker.
“Overall, Daniel Island was very fortunate and it is a tribute to our development team for designing appropriate drainage systems for the island.”
Community outreach for Cainhoy area families
On Monday, as word spread of other areas in our community suffering from the devastating impacts of the storm, island residents began to mobilize donation and supply drives to support victims, particularly for the Cainhoy/Huger area - where some 70 homes have been impacted, along with an estimated 200 plus residents.
The Baldwin Carson Community Outreach Center in Huger is accepting donations of clothing, shoes, blankets, toiletries, and gift cards to assist victims. The center is located at 1161 Baldwin Corner Road in Huger and will be open on Thursday of this week from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations for the center can also be dropped off at East Cooper Community Outreach in Mount Pleasant. Those interested in helping can also call Diane Hazlet, center coordinator, at (843) 412-6354 to make arrangements to drop items at the center during off hours.
In addition, St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church on Daniel Island is collecting donations for flood victims in the Cainhoy, Huger and Wando communities. Food, clothing and cleaning supplies can be dropped off in front porch bins at 170 Beresford Creek Street and 1343 Smythe Street on Daniel Island.
Flood Victims Find Refuge at ECCO
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) has already begun assisting the victims of the weekend’s flood. Assistance with food and clothing were given Monday to almost 20 families. Jack Little, Executive Director, said “We had people of all kinds of people coming in for food and clothing Even though everyone was encouraged to stay home today, we worked a skeleton crew for three hours seeing seventeen families for emergency food and clothing.”
ECCO was founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo by Christ our King Catholic Church under the leadership of Monsignor James Carter. “Of course we would respond immediately after this horrendous storm since we were founded in the result of the massive storm we know as Hugo. So many families in Mt. Pleasant, Huger, Awendaw, are in need of assistance. We are able to offer not only food and clothing but also a very limited amount of financial help during this tragic time,” says Little.
ECCO is located at 1145 Six Mile Road in Mt. Pleasant, 29466. Hours of service are from 10 to 4 pm. Contributions can also be made to the same address or online at ECCOcharleston.org