Allendale County deals with Debby; apartment flooding; community support

ALLENDALE COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) – People dealing with Debby are still feeling its effects and bracing for more in Allendale County. Allendale County leaders are making sure people are safe, by going door to door to check on them to make sure everything is okay.

There’s been a strong community response to recent flooding. Volunteers and churches are helping with food and essentials.

“Pretty good. It’s a lot of limbs down and stuff,” Fairfax resident Gerald Chesoer said.

Dominion Energy and DOT are on standby. Organizations like The Fairfax Coalition and The Smart Box are stepping up to help.

“Food essential goods, toiletries we have cleaning supplies, those type of things that they might definitely need, to be able to clean up around those doors because we had sandbags around those doors to be able to make sure that the water didn’t get in.” The Smartbox CEO Phyllis Smart added. “We can’t wait and see, but we have done what we can possibly do right now,” Mayor Pro Tem Tiffine Forrester said.

The Fairfax Garden apartment complex has been hit hard with flooding. Crews are working to pump out water and clear debris ahead of more rainfall. We’re told the storm drains were clogged, causing the water to back up.

“I am concerned about it. You know, when people’s homes gets flooded, there’s damage. With the rain coming, and wind the possibility of tree limbs falling those buildings. And we just encourage our citizens to stay home they can,” Mayor Albert Sauls added.

Efforts are already underway to prevent future flooding. Officials are planning road maintenance and drainage upgrades.

“We’re not just addressing the immediate needs. We’re working with local leaders to ensure long-term solutions are put in place to protect the community from future floods,” Smart said.

As for Gerald, “I’ll be fine. My house is up pretty high, so.”

Emergency management officials want you to report downed debris, power lines, or trees. Call the non-emergency line at 803-584-8151.

UPDATE, 08/08/2024 – According to Allendale County Emergency Management, after some field recon, the Fairfax Garden Apartments I was found to be in excellent shape with one side of the parking lot being completely dry and the opposite side having a small puddle, not deep at all nor is it big in size.

The Emergency Management Director states that in the historical areas that flood, the waters have recessed as well.

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