![](https://www.statehousereport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/15.1008.nelson_bridge.jpg)
As Tropical Storm Debby moved into North Carolina Thursday, state officials celebrated that no lives were lost as the storm churned through the Palmetto State. But they also warned that dangers remain.
“It’s not over yet,” Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters at an Aug.t 8 press briefing in Columbia. “We’ve passed some of the dangers, but there’s still plenty, so don’t let your guard down yet.”
As McMaster spoke, federal, state and county officials were moving out across the state to assess damage and monitor continuing hazards. Of particular concern, officials said, was the possibility of further flooding as the Pee Dee and Edisto rivers continued to rise. Nine years ago, at least 19 people died as coastal rivers flooded, causing $1.5 billion of damage.
“Some of this [current] river flooding, especially on the Pee Dee, will be long lasting,” said forecaster John Quagliarielloe. “The National Weather Service is working with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the S.C. Emergency Management Division, other state agencies and local officials to assess the risk.”
Dams also of interest
Also of concern according to officials are the state’s dams. So far, they said, 40 of 62 high-priority dams have already been assessed, with no major issues reported. S.C. Department of Environmental Services Interim Director Myra Reece said inspectors will begin assessing lower priority dams, which number in the thousands, on Friday.
Tropical Storm Debby blew into the Palmetto State on Monday and lingered for four days, dumping more than 20 inches of rain and spawning seven confirmed tornadoes, including two in Edisto Beach. As it left the state Thursday, more than 100 roads and bridges were closed due to damage and flooding, and about 8,000 businesses and residences were without power.
As of Thursday, the state received reports of 70 homes and structures damaged, 15 seriously, and one destroyed. SCEMD is encouraging citizens to report damage through the S.C. Emergency Manager app.
In other recent news
Attorneys general challenge health insurance for DACA recipients. Fifteen Republican attorneys general, including S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, filed a lawsuit Thursday in an attempt to stop President Joe Biden from expanding health care access to DACA recipients under the Affordable Care Act.
S.C. Juvenile Justice Department head to receive big raise. The director of South Carolina’s embattled Department of Juvenile Justice is set to receive a bump in pay from $158,000 per year to nearly $216,000 a year amid ongoing efforts to reform the troubled agency.
S.C. Nexus tech hub announces its first executive director. The S.C. Department of Commerce has named Cristina Paredes as the first executive director of the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS), South Carolina’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hub.
Federal, state officials mark $175M grant for new I-95 bridge. While the big project is a brand new bridge on Interstate 95 over Lake Marion, the project also includes a pipe bringing clean drinking water into rural Clarendon County.
How the death penalty would work in South Carolina. Inmates on South Carolina’s death row went from one possible way to die, to three: lethal injection, firing squad or the electric chair.