Orangeburg rescuers save family from floodwaters of N. Edisto

A family of three was pulled to safety from the rushing waters of the North Edisto River near Branchville early Tuesday.

Officers with the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office, Orangeburg County Emergency Services, Branchville and Rowesville fire departments participated in the rescue, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. The family members were not identified, and details about the rescue were not provided in the release.

Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said his deputies remain on patrol Tuesday helping residents or motorists where needed, as in the case of the Branchville family. Although floodwaters are receding in some place, the waters and roadways remain dangerous.

"Please continue to stay home if all possible because many of our roads are in bad condition and bridge conditions remain uncertain," he said in the release. "We are continuing to patrol and inspect our roadways to provide a route in the event of, say, a medical emergency. But we stress that you should stay home and avoid travel."

Orangeburg County is the second largest county in the state, with 1,100 square miles and county roads used by motorists to reach Columbia, Charleston and other destinations, Ravenell said.

"These roads now should be considered dangerous, and attempting to travel them could even result in a tragedy," he said, "so again please be extremely careful, if you must travel at all."

Many back roads used by residents have been heavily damaged, he added.

"We're continuing to monitor the roadways and bridges throughout the county," the sheriff said. "But at this time, we're still recommending everyone stay home."