Part of USA Swept by Flood as a Result of Heavy Rainfall.

Some parts of the United States of America, USA; South Carolina is currently flooded as a result of the heavy rainfall. Many people are stranded and others are evacuating their homes to a safe place.

"USA Today is Reporting; 'Flash flooding intensified in South Carolina on Sunday as "historic" rainfall amounts of up to two feet in some areas combined with high winds to strand motorists and residents and force evacuations and rescues.

"Do not attempt to travel across the state today," the state Emergency Management Division tweeted. "Stay where you are unless told to leave by safety officials."

The National Weather Service's Charleston office reported "mind-boggling rain amounts." They included 24-plus inches in Mount Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston, since the storm began Thursday. Columbia recorded more than 10 inches.

South Carolina emergency officials reported more than 200 "swift water" rescues since Saturday night. Columbia police said they had 200 calls backed up as they scrambled to respond, struggling themselves on the bloated roads.

AccuWeather called the the storm a 1-in-500-years rain event. Senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski called it the worst overall weather event in the state since Hurricane Hugo, which made landfall near Charleston as a Category 4 storm in 1989 and killed more than 27 people in the state.

"Charleston got 11.5 inches of rain on Saturday, which is a one-day record," Pydynowski said. "Today Columbia is setting records."

Much of Georgia and South Carolina were already saturated by rains that have blasted the area since Thursday. Power was knocked out to about 50,000 residences and businesses in the two states as of early Sunday afternoon.

"Major to localized catastrophic flash flooding along with possible landslides and mudslides in the higher elevations of South Carolina and Georgia remain an ongoing concern," NWS warned.

Flood warnings also were issued for three Virginia counties. North Carolina also was dealing with flash flooding on some secondary roads, and some ferry services were canceled. But South Carolina was taking the brunt of the unrelenting storm.

The weather service blamed a low pressure system that has stalled over the state since Thursday, combined with the outer edges of Hurricane Joaquin. The Category 2 storm, with sustained top winds of 110 mph, avoided a direct hit but did add fuel to rains and high wind along the coast.
 
President Obama approved federal disaster aid for the state. State emergency management officials counseled residents to "remain where you are if you are safely able to do so. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies."

More than 100 South Carolina roads and bridges were closed due to flooding, state officials said.
In Columbia, fire officials said several dams had breached. WLTX-TV meteorologist Jim Gandy said the
Village of Sandhill had received 11 inches of rain by 6 a.m. On I-95 in Clarendon County, a 32 mile stretch of road was closed, from mile marker 100 to 132. Parts of Interstate 77 and Interstate 20 in Richland County were covered in water.

Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins told WLTX that the city has been inundated with rescue calls.

"We do need more resources," Jenkins said. "People who can't get out should call 9-1-1. Don't give up, keep trying."

Source: USA Today.