SPARTANBURG, S.C. — A flood watch covering Spartanburg County and much of the Upstate remains in effect through Sunday afternoon as leftover rain from Isaias keeps flash flooding possible on low-lying roads and streams.
The National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg issued a flood watch early Saturday that runs until Sunday at 2 p.m. for Spartanburg County along with Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, Abbeville, Greenwood, Greater Pickens and neighboring counties. Forecasters said flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.
An NWS watch product covering Upstate South Carolina counties including Spartanburg warned that excessive runoff may flood rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying locations, with low-water crossings at risk. Periods of rain were expected to continue as the system weakens and moves north, with short bursts of heavy rain still possible overnight into Sunday.
By Sunday morning, total accumulations of generally 2 to 5 inches were expected across much of the watch area, with higher totals along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Residents were told never to drive through flooded roadways, noting that as little as 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.
Early Sunday, an updated flash flood warning for Spartanburg County highlighted flooded low-lying roadways, parks, trails and poor-drainage areas that can block travel and require barricades, with night driving especially hazardous when flood dangers are harder to see.
Officials in Spartanburg, S.C., urged drivers to stick to higher ground, avoid flooded stretches, and turn around rather than risk moving water on county roads while the watch runs through Sunday afternoon.
