Flooding in the Streets of Charleston

Timing is everything, and today’s heavy rains reminded us all of the truth behind this simple maxim.  A College of Charleston weather station has already recorded 3.27 inches of rainfall today.  The heaviest of these rains coincidentally came in the early afternoon, just as high tide reached its maximum height.

For anyone who has been in the Lowcountry for at least one heavy rain, it is no surprise that Charleston’s roads and streets become rivers and creeks, especially at high tide.  With nowhere to drain, excessive stormwater collects from impervious surfaces such as roofs, cars, parking lots and driveways and floods our streets, only to wreak havoc on your suped up lowriders and sports cars.

With waders on foot, I set out to capture some images from today’s flooding.  Hit the picture below to view the slideshow…

Flooding on the corner of Fishburne and Killians Street in downtown Charleston. Photo: Charleston Waterkeeper

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified stormwater runoff as one of the leading causes of pollution in our nation’s waterways.  As water falls from the sky it collects just about everything in its way before draining into our streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.  That means that whatever oils drip from our cars, whatever pesticides or poisons we put on our lawns and whatever dog poop we leave in the park, will eventually make its way into Charleston Harbor.  It is essential that we are all conscious of our actions on land and recognize how these acts will affect the health of our waterways.

Stay dry…