Crashes, injuries reported on Midlands roads drenched by remnants of Hurricane Sally

Multiple crashes and injuries were reported Thursday morning on rain-drenched Midlands roads, as tropical depression Sally rumbled through the Columbia area.

Collisions were reported on most of the major highways running through the Midlands, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation. That included Interstates 20, 26, and 77.

Since 5:50 a.m., injuries have been reported in at least five of the wrecks, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Information on the number of people hurt, and their conditions, was not available.

Three of the crashes where people were hurt happened in Richland County, between 9:20 and 9:30 a.m., with two on I-26, DPS reported.

By 10:30 a.m., 16 collisions were reported in Richland and Lexington counties, according to DPS.

The numerous wrecks caused traffic jams and delays for drivers as SCDOT cameras showed vehicles backed up across the Midlands.

Flooding has caused issues in Lexington County at the intersection of Crystal Springs Drive and Becca Lane, as well as in the 5700 block of Fish Hatchery Road at Patricia Lane, the sheriff’s department said. Delays and closures are possible at the intersections.

Downed trees have also been reported in the 1200 and 2200 block of Swansea Road, at U.S. 178, the sheriffs’ department said.

Several law enforcement agencies and emergency responders issued warnings to drivers to take extra time and be cautious on the roads during the storm.

“Due to impending inclement weather that is expected today, the City of Columbia wants to urge motorists to be cautious while driving,” city officials said on Twitter.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department tweeted “It’s going to be raining a lot in Richland County today. Avoid areas that are known to flood, if possible. And if the road is flooded, please don’t drive through it. Be safe and seek an alternate route.”

Advice from South Carolina Highway Patrol was to turn headlights on if windshield wipers are in motion. “Slow down and increase your following distances. Be safe and stay dry,” Highway Patrol tweeted.

The Columbia Fire Department issued a warning about hydroplaning, tweeting it’s “the equivalent of driving on a sheet of ice! Watch your speed during periods of heavy rain to keep your car from riding on the water instead of the road!”

The forecast shows 4-6 inches of rainfall is possible for most of the Midlands, including Columbia. There is 100% chance of rain Thursday, before tapering off to 40% Friday, and possible thunderstorms are in the forecast.

The National Weather Service said significant, widespread heavy rainfall caused by the storm has elevated the threat of flash flooding. A flash flood watch was issued Wednesday for most of the Midlands, including Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Sumter, Calhoun, Lee, Aiken, Fairfield, Newberry, and Saluda counties.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

Flood-prone streets in Columbia

Columbia officials cautioned drivers to avoid flood-prone areas in the city, including these intersections which have had issues during past storms:

▪ 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

SOURCE: City of Columbia

This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 10:29 AM.

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription