Flash flood warning activated for Sumter amid Tropical Storm Debby rain
A flash flood warning is now in effect until 3:30 p.m.
A flash flood watch remains in effect until Thursday evening.
Santee Cooper began controlled spill operations at Santee Cooper Dam Tuesday morning.
Increased rainfall in the Santee Cooper watershed and upstream lake operations has resulted in increased inflows into the Santee Cooper Lake system. Due to elevated lake levels, the St. Stephen hydro units have been operating around the clock since Aug. 3. Santee Cooper anticipated yesterday it would begin spill operations at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The flow began at a rate of 10,000 cubic feet of water per second (or about 4.48 million gallons per minute) into the Santee River to keep lake levels below the FERC operating license maximum elevation. The operation will continue until further notice, according to a news release.
System Operations will continue to monitor rainfall projections and inflows into the Santee Cooper Lake system and provide updates as conditions change.
Santee Cooper’s dams and dikes are secure, the release stated, adding that spilling is a normal part of Santee Cooper’s hydroelectric operations in periods of increased inflows into the lakes.
The state is giving a media briefing at 2 p.m. This story will be updated after it concludes with more information.