Couple’s Recent Move to Florence Plagued with Flooding

A couple’s dream of a peaceful home in Lafayette Circle, downtown Florence has turned into a nightmare. After relocating from Charlotte, the couple has already experienced two incidents of severe flooding within four days of moving in. A normal thunderstorm last Sunday saw Lafayette Circle experiencing substantial flooding, with a foot of water accumulating in the crawl space of the couple’s new home.

The flooding resulted in significant damage to the home’s ductwork and HVAC system. Jordan Plumbing spent several hours removing water from the house while city workers investigated the cause of the sudden flooding. However, the area was hit by further flooding on Wednesday night caused by Tropical Storm Debby.

Repeated Flooding and Growing Concerns

City crews were again assigned to pumping out water on the following Thursday, assisted by Sumter company employees who used a vac truck to help remove the water. The constant drainage and new flooding gave off the impression that the water being removed from the homes was being displaced back into the street. Many local residents expressed frustration and concern over the area’s flooding issue.

The city of Florence responded to ABC15’s inquiries regarding the flooding, attributing the situation to blocked drains in the area. The city stated in their release: “The drains in the area were blocked by vegetation (leaves, pine needles, etc.) from the trees in the neighborhood. We had crews in the Lafayette/Madison area today cleaning drains by hand. We also used our hydro excavator vac truck to clean the drains.”

They also reassured residents that once the stormwater drainage system is unclogged, the area should not face flooding issues.

Community Support Makes a Difference

William Schofield, a Florence County Councilman, visited Lafayette Circle to assist city employees and provide hot meals to those working during the storm. Despite the issue being a city matter and Schofield being a county councilman, he felt compelled to aid workers helping the couple facing flood-related issues in their home.

Schofield stated, “Anybody who is going to be working in the storm deserves to have a hot meal.” He added that despite their infrastructure being dated, with some components dating back to the 1950s, everyone involved needed to put their “heart in the right place.”

The councilman’s actions were met with appreciation from residents. The community now hopes that the root cause of the issue will be identified and resolved before another storm hits the area.

Residents are also urged to stay updated on weather forecasts and prepare for potential flood situations. Adoption of certain measures, such as installing flood barriers, clearing gutters, and preparing a flood kit, could help cope with inevitable flood events until the matter is resolved.