Heroes Making a Difference in the South Carolina Flooding

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the past few days have been an extraordinary catastrophe, correctly identified by Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina as a ``thousand year rain'' causing flooding and damage across South Carolina. Fortunately, Hurricane Joaquin bypassed the state after causing destruction in the Bahamas but, it created a weather anomaly of record rainfall of over 20 inches and flooding. I am grateful to the National Weather Service and senior forecaster John Quagliariello, for monitoring the situation and providing early warnings for our citizens.

Six generations of my family have lived on Wilton Road in Springdale, which was washed away during the storm for the first time ever since construction in 1890. I am grateful that our home was spared major damage, though thousands were not so fortunate.

Our state officials were true leaders and handled the catastrophe impressively. When visiting the State Emergency Response Center in Pine Ridge, I thanked Governor Nikki Haley, Adjutant General Bob Livingston, and Attorney General Alan Wilson for leading the recovery, as well as South Carolina Emergency Management Division Kim Stinson. I am further grateful for the National Guard's role in aiding the relief efforts--three of my sons, Alan, Julian, and Hunter, were activated for National Guard disaster service.

I visited the world-class Lexington County Emergency Response Center, led by Director Bo Davenport, with Sheriff Jay Koon and County Administrator Joe Mergo where I thanked the dedicated personnel who saved many lives.

In between stops, I appreciated thanking Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin for his leadership and I thanked Homeland Secretary Jeh Johnson for coming to tour the impacted areas this Friday with Congressman Jim Clyburn and myself. Mayor Mike Miller of Wagener assured me his Aiken County community was secure.

Lexington Mayor Steve MacDougall and Town of Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green gave me a first-hand tour of multiple pond dam breaks, including the Mill Pond blocking U.S. Highway 1 of Main Street in Lexington.

I visited the Lake Katherine neighborhood with State Representative Kirkman Finlay of Columbia, where I met homeowners and volunteers already planning the reconstruction of their homes. Sheriff Leon Lott had experienced deputies at critical roadways.

At the Red Cross shelter at A.C. Flora High School, I thanked the A.C. Flora Key Club and other volunteers who distributed bottled water, food, diapers, and clothes to those who had lost everything. I am grateful to Richland School District One Board Member Beatrice King and State Senator Joel Lourie for coordinating such a positive outpouring of donations from the community.

Visiting the Richland County Emergency Center, led by Columbia Deputy Fire Chief Tisdale, there were dedicated personnel thoughtfully handling calls of distress.

At the Seven Oaks Recreation Center shelter, sponsored by the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission, I thanked the organizers: Director Elizabeth Taylor and Park Director John Cantey. I saw first-hand how those who had to flee their homes found people who cared and supported them.

A lesson learned is that in the watersheds of multiple downstream dams, as exist in Richland and Lexington counties, there should be a coordination of lowering water levels to anticipate extraordinary rainfall to reduce the potential for sequential dam failures resulting in catastrophic loss of life and property damages.

Late yesterday, I returned to my Congressional office in West Columbia, where I found that a leak in the roof had caused the ceiling and light fixture above my desk to collapse.

Though the destruction of the 1000-year event was catastrophic, it was a testament to the people of South Carolina working together for the common good.

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