PICKENS, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's climatologist says heavy rains in the northwest corner of the state might eliminate the need for a more serious drought declaration.
The Greenville News reported Wednesday that climatologist Hope Mizzell said the weekend rains came at just the right time to keep the area from slipping further into drought.
Mizzell says the state might lift the least serious drought status for Pickens and Oconee counties.
She had said last week she was considering asking the state drought response committee to consider upgrading the drought status from incipient to moderate.
The National Weather Service says the Walhalla Fish Hatchery received 15 inches of rain over four days. Pickens got four inches of rain.
Information from: The Greenville News
Flooding situation improves in Oconee County
Oconee County Emergency Management Operations Manager Eric Lutz says the situation is "much better" Tuesday morning.
Lutz says the water has begun to recede after the county has gone 24 hours without additional rain. The chatooga River peaked and began to settle down according to Lutz.
Damage assessment teams are beginning to look at what problems the flooding caused to roads, homes and businesses in Oconee County. Lutz doesn't believe the extent of damage will be enough to warrant federal disaster money.
Lutz says crews will look at Camp Road, Lester Lane, McGee Road, Crystal Lake Road, Lands Bridge Road, Whitewater Lake Road, Busch Creek Road, North Radio Station Road, Keys Road and Cheohee Valley Road for damage.
Flooding continues to cause problems on western North Carolina roads
The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported these roads are being impacted by flooding on Wednesday:
Transylvania County, Near Brevard
SR-1537 (Becky Mtn), Both Directions
Transylvania County, Near Brevard
SR-1527 (Talley Rd), Both Directions
Transylvania County, Near Rosman
SR-1309 (Silverstein Road), Both Directions
Transylvania County, Near Brevard
SR-1540 (Wilson Rd), Both Directions
Transylvania County, Near Rosman
SR-1301 (Cold Mtn Rd), Heading West
Lane Closed - 1 of 2 lanes closed
Transylvania County, Near Brevard
SR-1400 (Ive Lane), Heading North
Lane Closed Due to Washout - 1 of 2 lanes closed.
Transylvania County, Near Brevard
SR-1518 (Davidson River), Both Directions
Transylvania County, Near Rosman
SR-1207 (Barclay Road), Both Directions
Near SR-1207
Flooding near Blantyre, NC on Tuesday (Air 7 photo)
For more wspa.com coverage of the flooding in South Carolina and western North Carolina, click here
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