Watch CBS News

"Heartbreaking" floods in South Carolina still not over

Dramatic flood rescues in S.C. after storm cuts off towns 02:59

South Carolina is preparing for the possibility of even more rain as the state copes with the effects of historic flooding. Thirteen people have died since the state was pounded with wet water, and roads, bridges, and homes have been destroyed, reports CBS News Correspondent David Begnaud.

National Guard helicopters rescued dozens of people trapped in their homes as the deadly flooding punishing the Carolinas worsened Monday.

"Thousand-year" flooding in South Carolina 01:55

Several dams were breached, sending water pouring into already flooded communities and prompting mandatory evacuations in Richland County. Nineteen dams in the state have failed so far.

"It's been one of the worst things we've seen in the entire time that I've lived here. You've got people who are displaced from their homes, people whose businesses are wrecked," said Columbia resident James Shirer. "I don't know how long it will take for all of us to overcome this."

Streets continue to give way to the relentless rush of water, as much of the state has seen well over two feet of rainfall.

More than 500 roads and bridges have been closed, including all roads leading in and out of the city of Manning, cutting off 4,000 people.

"It's heartbreaking -- a lot of time spent here with my family," said an emotional Shelley Manning, whose building that housed her family business for more than two decades was destroyed.

In Charleston, Pastor Paul Rienzo and a group of parishioners spent the day salvaging the damage to their church, but with little success. They hope to find another location for their church services.

"It kind of took our breath away,"Rienzo said. "And then we decided to start thinking what the next step is."

The next step for emergency management crews will be to restore safe drinking water to the 40,000 people who are still without safe drinking water.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.