Rain-soaked region looking for drier start to new year

After more than two weeks of off-and-on rainy weather, area residents endured yet another day Wednesday of wet weather, causing hazardous road conditions and swollen rivers and creeks.

Portions of York County were under a flash flood warning for much of the day and into the evening Wednesday.

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg issued the warning Wednesday morning for portions of York County, as well as Mecklenburg County in North Carolina.

Because of heavy thunderstorms, several streets had already reported flooding in Chester by midday, where several low-lying areas including Columbia and Lancaster streets were reportedly flooded. Motorists were advised to use caution.

Chester County officials urged "extreme caution" for drivers Wednesday as several streets in the city of Chester were flooded, said Eddie Murphy, Chester County Emergency Management director.

"The whole place seemed to fill up with water," Murphy said. "Our concern is people trying to drive in it. If people can stay off the roads until this goes down everybody will be safer."

Chester County firefighters reponded to a home that was hit by lightning during Wednesday’s storm.

The home is in southwestern Chester County on Leeds Road, according to emergency scanner traffic. No injuries were reported in early broadcasts by emergency officials.

Authorities extended the flood warning later in the day for areas of northwestern York County.

Some forced from their homes

Flash floods in the Carolinas prompted the opening of emergency shelters and the evacuation of some homes with the help of firefighters.

Firefighters in Gastonia, N.C., said they rescued seven residents from a neighborhood near a creek. The department posted photos online of firefighters in thigh-deep water.

Braulio Rivera told The Gaston Gazette that he doubted he could have made it to dry ground without the help of firefighters.

“All of a sudden I hear this rush of water and I look at the window and I see that the creek is flooded and water is coming from everywhere,” he said. “It just kept coming up and coming up.”

In South Carolina, roads were flooded across the Upstate. The American Red Cross said on its website that a shelter was open at a church in Greenwood.

3 inches in 12 hours

Meteorologists say three inches of rain fell in about 12 hours Wednesday, with the possibility of half an inch still to come. Flooding was considered likely around Crowders Creek off of Lake Wylie, as well as in the Kings Mountain area.

As of late Wednesday, road closures had been reported on Stall Cup Road and Gunsmoke Road in McConnells, Wilson Chapel Road in Hickory Grove, Love Valley Road in Clover and Apple Road in York.

Areas in danger of flooding include Rock Hill, York and Fort Mill. Rain could cause creeks and streams to overflow, potentially flooding highways and overpasses. Low-lying areas and places with poor drainage also could be flooded.

Drivers are advised to avoid areas with standing water on the road.

“Only a few inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away your vehicle,” according to the AccuWeather service.

Lancaster County had several streets covered with water for stretches including parts of S.C. 9., S.C. 903, and Linwood Road near the Lancaster city limits, said Darren Player, director of Lancaster County Fire Service. Portions of Camp Creek Road between Lancaster and the North Carolina line were also reportedly flooding Wednesday afternoon.

By the end of the day, 32 different roads across Lancaster County were reported flooded or barricaded due to weather conditions.

However, there have been no calls for rescues, Player said.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Rain-soaked region looking for drier start to new year."