Officials in Bennettsville are keeping a close eye on Lake Paul Wallace, which has had recurring flooding problems since a dam breach at the lake forced evacuations from two low-lying communities in May.
On Wednesday, Mayor Leith Fowler said the city, Marlboro County Emergency Management, and the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which manages Lake Paul Wallace, have been prepping the area for heavy rain from Tropical Storm Debby.
“Everyone’s aware of what’s getting ready to happen,” Fowler said. “Our city workers have been opening [storm] drains.
The two low-lying communities at the most risk of flooding are Shady Rest and Richardson Park, both of which were evacuated in May, following the dam breach.
Fowler said drainage issues have been a problem for overspill from Lake Paul Wallace.
“The state [DNR] has come in to help, so we can move more water,” he said.
Fowler said local and state crews spent the first half of this week making and distributing sandbags for residents in Shady Rest and Richardson Park to use as flood barriers around entrances to their homes.
“We do have shelters ready” in case there is a need to evacuate residents, Fowler said. An evacuation would be ordered by County Emergency Management.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued coastal flood advisories in communities along the Pee Dee River in parts of Darlington and Florence counties, especially near Black Creek.
NWS also has issued flood advisories for areas surrounding Turkey Pen Swamp near Galivants Ferry in Horry County and along Indian Creek in Chesterfield, as well as along parts of Black and Lynches rivers.
Update, Aug. 7, 2024, 1:05 p.m.: DNR confirmed in a statement Wednesday that a contractor "worked to place riprap along the diversion dam that separates the lake to help protect against erosion" earlier this week.
"Based on current weather predictions, the risk of localized flooding around Lake Paul Wallace Dam is likely, as it is in other areas of the state," the statement said.
DNR urged residents to "always adhere to the directions of local officials, who have specialized emergency preparedness personnel who are experts in severe weather preparation and response and have the support of their state agencies.
This story will be updated as new information is available.
