Flooded roads pervasive throughout Sumter County, emergency shelter opening at Sumter High

SUMTER, SC (Oct. 4, 2015) –  As of Sunday morning, flooding has become pervasive on roads throughout Sumter County, and accessibility to various areas in the county has become difficult for emergency responders.  Because of this, we strongly urge all Sumter County residents remain off all local roads.

Sumter County received, on average, four inches of rain between midnight and 7 a.m. Sunday.  This, coupled with earlier rainfalls that previously saturated the area, Some of the flooded roads include the east-bound bypass of U.S. 76/378, both South Pike and North Pike, Oakland Drive, Liberty Street near Swan Lake, Eastern School Road, Lafayette Street near Swan Lake, Manning Avenue and North Main Street coupled near U.S. 76/378. This is in no way a complete list, and many other roads remain impassable.

The exception to this recommendation is for those needing to seek shelter.  Officials will be opening an emergency shelter at Sumter High School at 8 a.m. Sunday.  Those needing to use the shelter should enter the campus through the McCray’s Mill Road entrance and enter the building through the school’s main doors.

All first responder agencies in Sumter County are working closely in conjunction with one another to respond to any issues that might arise.  Despite this, conditions have become severe enough that first responders could find themselves severely delayed in responding to stranded motorists in areas impossible to reach.

Because of this, we strongly urge Sumter County residents to stay indoors, stay safe, and try to stay dry.

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For up-to-date road closures, follow Sumter Police Department on Facebook.