Columbia, South Carolina – Streets across the Midlands could flood quickly as rounds of heavy rain continue into Saturday night, threatening commutes, underpasses, and low-lying neighborhoods from Newberry to Sumter and from Aiken to Orangeburg. Poor drainage spots along I‑20, I‑26, I‑77 and I‑95 may take on water during the heaviest bursts, with rapid rises on smaller creeks.
According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, a Flood Watch remains in effect through late Saturday night for Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Saluda, Sumter, Calhoun and Clarendon counties, as well as parts of east‑central Georgia including Richmond (Augusta), Columbia, McDuffie, Lincoln and Burke. Excessive runoff could push streams out of their banks.
In Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, and Lexington, expect ponding on US‑1, US‑378 and area frontage roads. Orangeburg and Bamberg could see quick back‑ups near rail underpasses and along SC‑33 and US‑301. Newberry, Saluda and Ridge Spring should watch rural crossings where ditches overflow. In the CSRA, heavy rain may slow traffic on I‑20 near North Augusta, Aiken and Thomson. If you live in a flood‑prone spot, move vehicles to higher ground, avoid walking or driving through water, and keep phones charged in case power blips.
The Flood Watch runs through late Saturday night; additional advisories or warnings may be issued if storms repeatedly track over the same areas.
