News Summary
Columbia is preparing for its 1st Annual Walk for Water on May 17, aimed at raising awareness of the global water crisis. Participants will walk three miles to simulate the daily struggle for clean water. Registration is open, with fees of $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Concurrently, Columbia faces flooding risks from Hurricane Helene, prompting local officials to issue safety warnings and close access points to rivers. The community is advised to take precautions as recovery efforts continue.
Columbia is set to host its 1st Annual Walk for Water on May 17, 2025, aimed at raising awareness about the global water crisis. The event, which will take place at Saluda Shoals Park located at 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29212, is organized to support the lifesaving efforts of Water Mission. As per current statistics, more than 2 billion people globally lack access to clean and safe drinking water. To highlight this urgent issue, participants will walk approximately three miles, simulating the daily journey many women and children undertake to fetch unsafe water in various countries.
Online registration for the event is now open at walkforwater.com/columbia, with a registration fee set at $25 for adults, $10 for youth aged 5-17, and free for children under 4 years old. The entry to Saluda Shoals Park is free, and all donations will be accepted to bolster the water initiatives locally and abroad.
In related news, Columbia is currently experiencing challenges in recovery following the impacts of Hurricane Helene, with ongoing concerns about potential flooding. Predictions indicate that the Congaree River is expected to crest at 31 feet, nearly 20 feet above its action stage. This forecast draws parallels with the devastating flooding experienced in 2015 when the river peaked at 31.8 feet. Local officials in West Columbia have begun notifying residents residing along the river to prepare for possible inundation.
The Mayor of Columbia has urged residents in vulnerable areas to secure belongings by moving them to higher ground. Although Richland County officials have stated that there are currently no mandatory evacuations, they advise residents to remain alert and take necessary precautions to safeguard their homes. Due to the heightened risk of flooding, all public access points to local rivers have been closed.
In light of the serious flooding risks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a searchable map detailing flood zone designations, marking particularly hazardous zones with the letters A and V. Local authorities have emphasized that even minimal flooding can lead to potentially significant damage, estimating that just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damages to structures.
In response to the flooding situation, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department have announced the closure of all boat ramps on the Congaree and Broad rivers as a precautionary measure. Additionally, traffic restrictions have been imposed on Broad River and Hollingshed due to flooding conditions. Lost Creek Drive is also closed from Pond Oak Lane to Lake Front Drive due to floodwaters blocking the roadways. All city greenways, including Riverfront Park North, South, and the Saluda Riverwalk, are temporarily closed as well.
The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for multiple counties including Calhoun, Fairfield, Lancaster, Kershaw, Lexington, and Richland. The current river levels indicate that the Congaree has receded to below major flood stage levels following its recent peak at 30.58 feet, surpassing the major flood threshold.
Residents are encouraged to make use of local libraries for charging their electronic devices and to access Wi-Fi during the ongoing power outages impacting the area. Although no mandatory evacuation orders are currently in place for Columbia or Richland County, officials continue to monitor the situation closely, sending examination teams to assess the safety of roads and bridges. Numerous sections of Lost Creek Drive and other roads remain inaccessible due to floodwaters and fallen trees.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: Flood
- WIS TV
- Google Search: Congaree River Flood
- Post and Courier
- Google Scholar: Hurricane Helene Flood
- WACH
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Crisis
- The State (2)
- Google News: Courage to Lead
