MARION COUNTY, SC (WPDE) — The Little Pee Dee River suffered from a drought in July but is now accumulating excess water after Tropical Storm Debby brought about 8 inches of water to the Marion County area.
ABC15’s weather team said the Little Pee Dee River is currently experiencing minor flooding, but is expected to rise another 2 feet (60 centimeters), putting the level in the major flood category.
Dylan Coleman, who works for the Winyah Rivers Alliance, said last month that too much rainfall in too short a time will have devastating consequences if the rivers dry up.
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He said: “The soil does not yet contain water, it is obviously bone dry, so the surface becomes hard and water cannot penetrate as easily.
Will Brown, a local who lives along the Little Pee Dee River, said he was thankful it didn’t rain as much as originally expected.
Brown said, “I’m going to be fine, the river isn’t going to come into my house, but unfortunately there are going to be people who are affected by this and the river is going to come into their homes, so we’re just praying for those people.”
Coleman said the water level will continue to rise because the water has nowhere to go.
Coleman said, “That’s just how rivers work. It rains not only here, but also upstream in North Carolina, and eventually the water level will come down again. That takes time.”
The Little Pee Dee River is expected to rise two feet above current levels on Sunday.
