Florence: 3 Dead In South Carolina, All Evacuations To Be Lifted

At least three deaths have been reported in South Carolina as Tropical Storm Florence lashed the state, downing trees, power lines and leaving many roads impassable. As Florence moves west, Gov. Henry McMaster announced that all evacuations would be lifted in South Carolina as of 9 a.m. Sunday.

Nearly 67,000 customers remain without power in the state, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. Earlier in the day on Saturday, more than 170,000 power outages were reported. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety confirmed three storm-related deaths in the state. A man and a woman were killed in Horry County by carbon monoxide poisoning and a woman was killed in Union County when her car struck a tree.

The National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. update that there was flash flooding and major river flooding happening over a significant portion of the Carolinas. The National Weather Service in Charleston said the Santee River is expected to go above flood stage early Sunday.

According to the NWS, wind speeds of anywhere between 35 miles per hour and 55 miles per hour have been recorded across the state. As for rainfall, more than 11 inches of rain was recorded in Conway, the highest rainfall total in the state, according to figures released by the NWS. More than eight inches of rain was recorded in North Myrtle Beach, according to NWS totals.

Florence is now moving at a speed of 3 miles per hour as it moves west and is expected to move northwest before making a turn north and north east on Monday.

The National Hurricane Center said catastrophic, life-threatening flash flood and prolonged river flooding is likely in the Carolinas.

State officials say they are working to implement a plan to combat major flooding in Horry County.

"Bridges on major routes into the county are expected to be overtopped by rain-swollen rivers sometime Monday night or Tuesday," the South Carolina Department of Transportation said in a news release.

Tropical storm conditions will continue along the coast and also well inland in South Carolina, the NHC says. A tropical storm warning is in effect for South Santee River to Surf City, North Carolina.

McMaster lifted evacuation orders for Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties and for Edisto Beach in Colleton county effective at noon Saturday. Mandatory evacuation for Georgetown and Horry counties will be lifted at 9 a.m. Sunday.

"While the weather conditions have improved, motorists should be cautious of fallen trees, downed power lines, and standing water in and around roadways," McMaster said in a press release. "Citizens also should anticipate power outages at their homes or businesses, which may last for several days."

Residents can find information for emergency shelters online and can call the PIPS line at at 1-866-246-0133 with questions and needed assistance. Local emergency services may be overloaded, residents should call 911 for life-threatening emergencies only.

Photo: People cross a downtown street in Columbia, S.C. as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Photo by Sean Rayford/Associated Press