NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA
The Carolinas are recovering from unprecedented flooding that killed 21 people and destroyed homes; select South Carolina communities—including those in Columbia—were hit hardest.
CBS News reported on Monday evening (Oct. 12) that more than 300 bridges and roads remained closed in South Carolina, though it was reported that all lanes of I-95 reopened on Tuesday (Oct. 13).
Many hotels, resorts and other group venues are already back in business throughout the state. Here is a brief update on the current status of flood recovery in South Carolina from local CVBs/properties.
Columbia, S.C.
Columbia’s hospitality industry is open for business. The downtown area saw minimal to no water damage and our meeting facilities and hotels are open and ready to welcome groups to town.
- Official statement from the Columbia SC CVB.
“We don’t know who started it, but the city adopted the hashtag #famouslystrong as spin on our 'Famously Hot' branding, it’s great to see the community working together as well … in other situations people might panic, but Columbia has been very organized. It has been very inspiring to see."
- Dayna Cantelmi, marketing & communications associate with the Columbia SC CVB/Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism.
Charleston, S.C.
“Everything here is fine, the damage from that storm was felt much more in Columbia than it was here, we did not have any businesses that were extensively damaged and we’ve been up and running since a week ago.”
- Perrin Lawson, deputy director with the Charleston Area CVB.
Kiawah Island, S.C.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort located 21-miles south of Charleston, S.C., reopened Wed., Oct. 7, 2015, following the historic rain event that affected the entire state of South Carolina. Upward of 24 inches of rain fell on Kiawah Island over a three-day period between October 1 and October 4.
Roger Warren, president of Kiawah Island Golf Resort, released a video message to the public.
- Official statement from Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Myrtle Beach area is open for business. All major thoroughfares including Highway 17 and Highway 22 are operational with traffic moving in all directions. Impact in the Horry County area was minimal, but before you travel, be sure and check current conditions on www.scdot.org/getting/StormResources.aspx.
- Official statement from Visit Myrtle Beach.
Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery to all of the South Carolina communities affected by the flood.
