In Richland County, evacuations continue, free water distribution to start soon

Evacuations were ongoing Monday in Richland County, and officials said hundreds of people might still be unable to leave their homes, particularly in Lower Richland.

It was among many of the points discussed at a news conference by law enforcement and emergency officials.

Richland County and emergency officials also reported:

▪  Sheriff Leon Lott said free water distribution sites would be set up soon, expected to be at 3700 Landmark Drive off of Forrest Drive and Lower Richland High School. Bottled water will be distributed, so there’s no need to bring your own containers.

Water distribution will be located atand Lower Richland HS

▪  The city Fire Department is trucking in water from outside the city to support three downtown area hospitals – Palmetto Richland, Palmetto Baptist and Providence. Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins said he was unsure how much longer the department would be able to continue to do that.

▪  Fort Jackson has given the Sheriff’s Department use of vehicles that can travel in water up to 5 feet deep, and Lott said the vehicles have been helpful in ongoing evacuations.

▪  Among neighborhoods hardest hit are in Forest Acres and those south of Beltline Boulevard.

▪  Many roads or stretches of roads remained closed Monday around the county, including key corridors along Decker Boulevard, Rosewood Drive and Trenholm and Bluff roads.

▪  Many evacuees – in the hundreds, perhaps thousands – are believed to be with family and friends, which is why there has not been a huge drain on local shelters, officials said.

▪  Officials estimate it could be 10 days before some sense of normalcy returns to the county, though some might see roads repaired and water service restored in their communities sooner.

This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 11:53 AM.