I’m sure everyone in Charleston can agree: we signed up to live near the ocean, not in it.

Especially amid hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30), flash floods plague the Lowcountry as both a nuisance + safety threat. During rain showers – and even more so during high tide – streets, parking lots + buildings often suffer major flooding.

Check out these flood facts + safety tips from Charleston County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to stay in the know when flash floods occur.

Fast facts

○ Aside from fire, floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S.
○ Floods are often deeper than you realize.
○ Floodwater can carry harmful debris that you may or may not see.
○ Floodwater can carry harmful bacteria.
○ Cars can be swept away in just two feet of water.
○ People can be knocked over by just six inches of floodwater.

Safety tips

○ Never walk in floodwater.
○ Avoid driving through floods. If your car stalls in a flood, abandon the vehicle immediately.
○ Move to higher ground if/when possible.
○ Have an evacuation plan + emergency supplies in place.
○ Check with the Charleston County Emergency Management Division (EMD) to see if you live in a flood-prone area.
○ Check out FEMA’s flood insurance rate map + look into getting flood insurance.
○ View a list of Charleston County flood zones + a breakdown of what each zone means.
○ If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

Additional resources

○ Charleston County Emergency Management Division (EMD)
○ National Safety Council
○ Ready.gov
○ American Red Cross
○ National Weather Service
○ National Flood Insurance Program