Tropical Storm Debby: Everything You Need to Know - City of Columbia, Columbia SC (2024)

Tropical Storm Debby Briefing: Watch the full press conference Here

View photos from the press conference Here

City of Columbia Addresses Preparedness Efforts and Potential Impacts due to Tropical Storm Debby

Due to the threat of inclement weather from Tropical Storm Debby starting Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the City of Columbia will hold a press conference to update the public on the preparedness efforts of the City and the potential impacts from inclement weather in the Midlands.

Who:Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City Manager Teresa Wilson, Columbia Police Chief William “Skip” Holbrook, Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, Columbia-Richland 911 Communications, Columbia Water, Public Works and City of Columbia Emergency Management.

What: Media briefing on the City’s preparedness efforts and potential impacts of inclement weather due to Tropical Storm Debby.

When: August 5, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

Where:City of Columbia Emergency Operations Center, 1800 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201

Multiday Deluge from Debby Predicted

Columbia, S.C.– The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is monitoring Tropical Storm Debby. Forecasters say it is expected to move very slowly over South Carolina in the next few days, leading to potentially historic heavy rainfall. Key local and state agencies have been notified to be ready to respond if the need arises.

South Carolina residents and visitors in potentially vulnerable areas should review their plans and consider actions they would need to take if the storm threatens the state. Residents in low-lying areas should consider moving to higher ground for the duration of the storm. Everyone should monitor the storm via local news media and follow updates from the National Hurricane Center.

“We will see some strong winds from this storm, but the biggest concern is flooding,” SCEMD Director Kim Stenson said. “The heavy rains and flooding currently predicted this week are historic in scope and scale. Our experts with the National Hurricane Center believe flooding to be catastrophic for many parts of South Carolina. Take no chances with this storm.”

Double Check Your Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents. Make sure your kit can sustain your household for at least three days, but preferably with enough supplies to last a week or more.

Clear Gutters and Drains:Make sure to clear your gutters and storm drains of debris to prevent water accumulation and reduce the risk of flooding around your home.

National Night Out Postponements and Cancelations

The following National Night Out events that were scheduled for Tuesday, August 6 arepostponed:

Edisto Court,Edisto Court Community Center- postponed to Saturday, August 10 from 12-3pm
Galaxy N.A.– 1813 Neptune Dr. postponed to Saturday, August 10 at 6pm
Golden Acres, 4811 Katy Street- postponed to Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 6-8pm
Cottontown,Sumter St. between Confederate and Summerville- postponed to Tuesday, October 1 from 5-7pm
Colonial Park, Lincoln Park and Colonial Heights,locations, TBA-postponed to Tuesday, October 1- from 7-9pm
Lyon St. Community,St. Anna’s Park- postponed to Thursday, October 10 from 6-7:30pm

The following National Night Out events that were scheduled for Tuesday, August 6 arecanceled:

Belvedere Community, 3606 Thurmond St. 6-8pm
Fairwold Acres, Fairwold Park on Frye Rd. 6-7:30pm
Burton Heights- Standish Acres Neighborhood Association, Busby Street Community Center

*Will continue to be updated as information is received*

City Cautions the Public to Avoid Flood-Prone Streets/Intersections

Due to impending inclement weather starting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the City of Columbia wants to urge citizens to avoid flood-prone streets and intersections throughout the City. Severe rain totals are expected in the Columbia area between from Tuesday, August 6 through Thursday, August 8, due to Tropical Storm Debby.

Please be advised of the following safety tips:

The following streets and intersections are prone to flooding during heavy rain events. Please avoid these areas during and immediately after heavy rains.

Main and Whaley

Gervais and Laurens

Blossom and Henderson

Blossom and Saluda

Harden and Santee

Monroe and Maple

Two Notch and Read

Wheat and Amherst

Adger and Devine

Wheat and Sumter

Wheat and Pickens

Heyward and Ravenel

Pickens between Wheat and Green

Barnwell and Pendleton

Harden and Read

Harden and Calhoun

Franklin and Marion

Franklin and Sumter

Columbia College and N. Main

Bull and Laurel

*Disclaimer: Locations above are places known to be flood prone. Actual flooding locations depend on storm strength, duration and location.

If you encounter a flooded street or intersection, turn around; do not attempt to drive through it. Water may be deeper than it appears and can hide many hazards (i.e. sharp objects, washed out road surfaces, electrical wires, chemicals, etc.). A vehicle caught in swiftly moving water can be swept away in a matter of seconds. Twelve inches of water can float a car or small SUV and 18 inches of water can carry away large vehicles.

Stay away from storm-damaged areas to include damaged or downed trees and power lines to keep from putting yourself at risk from the effects of severe thunderstorms.

Continue to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or to local radio and television stations for updated information or instructions, as access to roads or some parts of the community may be blocked.

To assist with keeping the storm drainage system working properly we would ask that yard debris and other items not be placed adjacent or next to drainage structures.

If you notice a storm drain which is blocked by debris, please notify the Public Works Street Division at 545-3780 during regular business hours and Customer Care at 545-3300 after 5 p.m. and on weekends. An alternate non-emergency number is 252-2911.For emergencies please call 911.

If trees are down in the public right of way or blocking roadways, call the Forestry Division at 545-3860. After 5 p.m., call the Customer Care Center at 545-3300.

City of Columbia Prepares for Tropical Storm Debby

(Columbia, SC) – The City of Columbia is preparing for potentially heavy rainfall resulting from Tropical Storm Debby from Tuesday, August 6 through Friday, August 9, 2024. Columbia Water wants to reassure to customers and the public about the stability of the Columbia Canal and the security of our drinking water supply. Although full repairs to the headgates and embankment are still pending, the repairs made immediately following the 2015 flood were a robust interim solution that continues to serve us well today. This interim solution allows for better control of inlet flow into the Canal and also provides additional outlet flow capacity to prevent a similar overtopping of the earthen embankment like what occurred in 2015. Additional resources, including pumps, piping and fill materials, are staged and ready if needed.

In addition, our water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plant are currently testing generators and topping off the storage tanks for treatment compounds. Water distribution and wastewater collection teams are readying by-pass pumps, stand-by generators and repair materials. Water distribution storage tanks will be maintained at full or near full levels throughout the storm. Our team has also coordinated with local contractors and they are ready to respond in the event of emergency repair needs.

Should customers experience any non-emergency issues, please call our Customer Care line at (803) 545-3300.

City of Columbia Public Works Department has also been pre-staging barricades in our flood prone streets and intersections throughout the City of Columbia. Due to the storms this past Saturday, August 3, Forestry and Beautification have been cutting back and clearing damaged trees along roadways and right-of-ways. Crews have also been prepping equipment to handle the influx of potential downed trees throughout the City of Columbia.

If you encounter a downed tree that is blocking the roadway or public right-of-way, please call the Forestry Division at 545-3860. After 5:00 p.m., call Customer Care at 545-3300. Stay away from storm-damaged areas to include damaged or downed trees and power lines to keep from putting yourself at risk from the effects of severe weather.

To assist with keeping the storm drainage system working properly we would ask that yard debris and other items not be placed adjacent or next to drainage structures.

If you notice a storm drain is blocked by debris, please notify the Public Works Street Division at 545-3780 during regular business hours and Customer Care at 545-3300 after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

Communication is key during any emergency weather event. Please stay in contact with your family, friends and neighbors. Help people who may require special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled and make sure your pets are safe and secure. For emergencies, please call 911.

In addition, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) has released several essential safety tips to follow before, during and after the storm:

Clear Gutters and Drains: Make sure to clear your gutters and storm drains of debris to prevent water accumulation and reduce the risk of flooding around your home.

Secure Outdoor Items: Store or secure outdoor furniture, garden tools, and toys. High winds can turn these objects into dangerous projectiles.

Stay Informed: Monitor local weather forecasts and stay informed about the developments of the storm. Have several ways to get emergency information.

SCEMD has several resources available for people to prepare for hurricanes, including hurricane.sc. This site is an interactive tool for anyone needing a quick reference on hurricane preparedness.

Stay updated to the City of Columbia for the latest updates and information regarding this severe weather event.

Website | www.ColumbiaSC.gov

Facebook & X | @CityofColumbia

Instagram | @CityofColumbiaSCGov

The City of Columbia Overflow Shelter Opens this Afternoon due to Inclement Weather and Impacts from Tropical Storm Debby

Due to the inclement weather and impacts due to Tropical Storm Debby, the City of Columbia will be opening up the Overflow Shelter for our unsheltered populations at 3:00 p.m. on today, August 6, 2024.

Transportation with The COMET will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the corner of Sumter St. and Laurel St.

City leadership will continue to monitor the weather and impacts of Tropical Storm Debby and will make any necessary announcements regarding keeping the Overflow Shelter open for additional days this week.

Columbia-Richland Fire Department Issues Safety Reminders During Inclement Weather from Tropical Storm Debby

Due to the inclement weather and forecasted impacts from Tropical Storm Debby, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department is asking citizens to take the following safety tips:

Avoid unnecessary travel – especially during periods of heavy rain.
If you have to drive, adjust your vehicle speed based on roadway conditions. Be careful for ponding water on the roadways and slow down to avoid hydroplaning.
If you come across a flooded roadway while driving, TURN YOUR VEHICLE AROUND and go back the way you came. DO NOT attempt to drive through flood waters!!
Have flashlights and batteries ready at your home or business in case you experience a loss of power.
If a tree falls on your home and causes significant damages, exit the home immediately and call 9-1-1.
Should a downed tree cause a power line to fall near your property, stay away from the downed line and call 9-1-1 immediately.

The City of Columbia Public Works to Continue Regular Services to our Residents During Tropical Storm Debby

The City of Columbia Public Works Department is continuing to provide regular services to residents of Columbia during the inclement weather this week due to Tropical Storm Debby. This includes the regular collection of garbage, recycling and yard trash collections.

Over the next several days we are anticipating possible flooding in our services areas. For the remainder of the week, we are asking citizens to assist our city and neighborhoods by not placing any additional yard trash out for collection. Also, departmental crews will continue to focus on cleanup in the areas that were impacted by the storm on Saturday evening.

For Public Works related issues, please call the numbers listed below:

Forestry & Beautification: (803) 545-3860
- Tree and limb related issues
Street Division: (803) 545-3790
- Flooding
- Clogged storm drains
Solid Waste: (803) 545-3800

For any services needed after 5:00 p.m., please call Customer Care at (803) 545-3300.