Charleston, August 18, 2025

News Summary

Charleston faces severe flood warnings as heavy rainfall impacts the area, particularly affecting Hampton and Jasper counties. The National Weather Service warns of potential minor flooding along the Savannah River and advises residents in flood-prone areas to seek higher ground and follow evacuation protocols. Safety precautions are essential as floodwaters pose serious risks, including the danger of electric shock. Local authorities urge caution for drivers and recommend avoiding flooded roads. Timely actions can prevent property damage and ensure safety during this weather emergency.

Charleston

Flood warnings have been issued across Charleston as heavy rainfall continues to affect the region. The National Weather Service (NWS) for Charleston, SC has extended a flood warning effective from Monday at 8 p.m. until further notice, particularly impacting Hampton and Jasper counties. Residents in affected areas are advised to take immediate precautions as forecasts indicate minor flooding along the Savannah River near Clyo.

As the flood levels are expected to reach 11.0 feet, several homes on Tom Goethe Road are likely to experience flooding. Residents, especially those in flood-prone and low-lying areas, are urged to seek higher ground immediately and follow evacuation instructions without delay. If time allows, homeowners should ensure their properties are secure by locking doors and disconnecting utilities and appliances prior to leaving.

Safety precautions are crucial during these warnings. Individuals are strongly advised to avoid entering basements or rooms with submerged electrical outlets or cords. If electrical issues are present, such as audible buzzing or crackling, it is essential to evacuate the area. Furthermore, stepping into water that may contain electricity poses life-threatening risks, as does walking through floodwaters—even just six inches can carry someone away in swift currents. In the scenario of becoming trapped by moving water, it is critical to find the highest possible point and contact emergency services by dialing 911.

Drivers are cautioned against attempting to navigate flooded roads. As little as 12 inches of rushing water can easily sweep most vehicles away. Hydroplaning, which occurs when a vehicle loses traction on wet road surfaces, is a significant risk under such conditions and is primarily caused by high speeds and poor tire conditions on saturated road surfaces. Heavy rains earlier on Monday amounted to over an inch, with forecasts predicting an additional 3 inches of rain.

Earlier in the day, a flash flood warning for Charleston expired at 3:15 p.m. Multiple street closures were reported in downtown Charleston due to floodwaters from the earlier rains. Flood advisories remained in effect for areas within Berkeley and Charleston counties into early Monday afternoon. Localized flooding is particularly expected in poorly drained or low-lying regions.

Residents should exercise caution when traveling in affected areas and heed the advice of local authorities: “turn around, don’t drown” when encountering any flooded roadways. Flooding poses a serious risk to the safety of individuals and their property, and taking timely action can help mitigate damage.

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Additional Resources

• Fox Weather: Charleston Flooding August 2025
• Wikipedia: Flood
• Live 5 News: Flooding Closes Downtown Charleston Streets
• Google Search: Charleston flooding news
• Count On 2: Heavy Rain Prompts Flash Flood Warning
• Google Scholar: Charleston flooding
• ABC News 4: Flash Flood Warning Issued
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
• Count On 2: Flash Flooding Closes Nearly 30 Charleston Roads
• Google News: Charleston flooding

Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD

The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.