Inspection Records Reveal that South Carolina Dams Were Doomed to Fail
State officials have released inspection records that provide shocking details about the state of South Carolina’s dams. After the floodwaters receded, the final count showed that seventeen dams in Richland County failed. While record flooding was the primary cause, the failures were exacerbated by poor maintenance.
According to WYFF4, a subsidiary of NBC, “…11 of the dams showed repeated deficiencies over several years that the agency sought to correct. In one case, erosion was discovered in the same area of a dam during six inspections over two years.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lists 2,439 dams in South Carolina; of these, 671 are classified as posing a “Significant” or “High” hazard. In response to the storm, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has ordered a statewide assessment of dams and will continue to issue emergency orders as the investigation continues. According to HydroWorld.com, emergency orders can include lowering water levels or emptying a reservoir, or can order dam owners/operators to take immediate emergency measures to prevent catastrophic failure.
DHEC Director Catherine Heigel said, “As a result of the 1,000 year flood, many dams across our state were damaged and have been identified as needing repair. DHEC remains committed to ensuring public safety and will be aggressive in pursuing all necessary safety measures to make sure that dam owners are making these needed repairs as quickly as possible.”
While the DHEC is doing everything it can after the fact, they are essentially locking the barn door after the horse escaped. The state of South Carolina’s infrastructure is atrocious; roadways, bridges, and dams have been eroding for years, leaving the state ripe for disaster and needlessly endangering its residents.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the storm that ravaged our state in early October. Recovery will be long and difficult, but we will come out stronger on the other side. With any luck, the dam failures that caused so much damage will bring attention to the poor condition of South Carolina’s aging infrastructure.
The flood damage has left victims homeless, dazed and confused. Emergency resources can help you, but they can’t answer your legal questions. McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC can be your legal recourse after a disaster. We are here to answer your questions and help you get back on your feet. We can help. Contact us today to speak with a South Carolina personal injury lawyer about your needs.
Randy is the former President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. He has been certified by the American Board of Professional Liability as a specialist in Medical Malpractice Law which is recognized by the South Carolina Bar. Randy has also been awarded the distinction of being a “Super Lawyer” 10 times in the last decade. He has over 25 years of experience helping injured people fight back against corporations, hospitals and wrong-doers.
Read more about S. Randall Hood