The risk of repeating rounds of heavy rain has forecasters in the South Carolina Upstate concerned about flash flooding.
The National Weather Service offices in Columbia and Greenville-Spartanburg have issued a Flash Flood Watch for areas along the I-85 corridor, extending south to Greenwood and east to Cheraw. The communities of Anderson and Chesterfield are also included in the Flash Flood Watch.
According to a blend of radar data and rain gauge observations, anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of rain has fallen over the past two days in many areas. The heaviest rain has occurred along and north of Interstate 20, where numerous rounds of thunderstorms occurred.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service say several more rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected over the weekend thanks to a slow-moving area of low pressure and an abundance of tropical moisture. An additional 2 to 4 inches of rain is possible, and a few locations could receive up to five more inches by Sunday evening. They're most concerned with flash flooding in urban locations, areas with poor drainage, and along small creeks and streams.
Residents in flood prone areas are being urged to use caution when driving, be watchful for flooded roadways, and be ready to seek higher ground if told to do so by local authorities. However, the rain is welcome news for other areas of the Palmetto State. It should help to eleviate the severe drought conditions that have been recently developed in the Lowcountry.
Along with heavy rain, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center says damaging winds may accompany a few of the strongest thunderstorms Saturday or Sunday, although the risk of severe weather is not expected to be widespread.