WHEREAS, the State of South Carolina has experienced exceptionally heavy rains since the last week of January 1998, resulting in severe flooding in Horry County along the Waccamaw River; and

WHEREAS, the Waccamaw River initially crested at 3.2 feet above flood stage on February 11, 1998, but due to continuing rains, is now expected to crest again at 3.5 feet above flood stage on February 20 and flood waters are not expected recede for several weeks; and

WHEREAS, this ongoing flooding has resulted in extensive damage to private property in Horry County that has rendered nearly two hundred homes uninhabitable and more than three hundred-fifty homes inaccessible; and

WHEREAS, more than one thousand South Carolinians are suffering substantial family, personal, and economic hardship, and are displaced from their homes; and

WHEREAS, those victimized by the increasing flood waters require further assistance from federal, state, and local governments;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers conferred upon me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of South Carolina, I hereby declare that emergency conditions exist in Horry County, and that this area is a disaster area as a result of the severe flooding. I hereby direct the South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division and all State agencies to take all necessary and prudent actions to protect the lives and property of the impacted citizens. I further direct the Division to coordinate with all federal agencies as necessary to secure any available federal disaster assistance for the impacted disaster victims.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 19TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1998

David M. Beasley
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:19 A.M.