South-Carolina
Tropical Storm Debby’s second assault will reach the Upstate, here’s how to prepare
Forecasters are sticking with predictions that Tropical Storm Debby will dump extreme amounts of rain on parts of South Carolina through Friday.
Heavy rain and storm surges continue to deluge Charleston and other coastal areas of the state. More than 10 inches of rain had fallen along the coast over the last two days, the National Weather Service reported.
The storm’s track is expected to move slowly toward the east and north on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. It will drift off Georgia’s coast early Thursday and then move inland later in the day for a repeat assault on South Carolina.
The hurricane center estimates three to six inches of rain could fall on the Upstate through Friday. Periods of heavy rain will likely result in areas of flash and urban flooding, with river flooding possible.
Here are tips from state officials, area emergency responders, and the Red Cross on staying safe during the storm.
Flooding in low-lying areas is possible
Officials advise residents to avoid floodwaters that could be contaminated with harmful chemicals, sewage, and debris, which pose serious health risks. Motorists should not attempt to drive through floodwaters.
In heavy rain, watch for trees with loose branches and be sure to secure loose items outside
More: Tropical Storm Debby rainfall totals for South Carolina, Georgia through Tuesday afternoon
Be ready for emergencies
Josh Hawkins, director of Anderson Emergency Services, advises Upstate residents to stock up on three days’ worth of supplies if necessary and have ample water, non-perishable food items, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio ready to use. He also said it’s wise to prepare a go-kit, especially if evacuation is necessary. “Don’t forget to include essential medication and diapers in your supplies,” he added.
Duke Energy Carolinas Jason Holifield, communications director said planning before a storm land is important.
- Have a plan for moving your family – especially the elderly or people with special needs
- Make sure cell phones and other electronics are fully charged. Consider investing in portable chargers.
- Get cash in case ATMs are not working or banks are closed.
- Fill your car with gas or fully charge an electric vehicle.
- If you have an alternative power source such as a generator, make sure you know how to operate it safely.
- Have an emergency kit with non-perishable food; a manual can opener, disposable plates, cups, and utensils, a first-aid kit, medications, a flashlight and spare batteries, and a non-electric clock.
In case of evacuations, Mike Leach, director of the Department of Social Services, said it is important to bring documents such as homeowner or rental verification, insurance information, identification, blankets, and sleeping bags.
An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds
The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins
Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.
Preliminary winners include:
Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
- Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
- Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
- Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
- Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
- Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen
The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.
Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.
-
Rhode Island4 minutes agoRhode Island Pride turns 50 this weekend: ‘Queer joy is resistance’ – The Boston Globe
-
South-Carolina7 minutes ago
87-year-old South Carolina businessman says he has no plans to retire
-
South Dakota12 minutes agoSouth Dakota sends poetry to the America250 time capsule
-
Tennessee19 minutes agoInside Tennessee 4×100 relay’s NCAA title, outlasting four botched exchanges
-
Texas21 minutes agoFlu sickens some 160 troops at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas
-
Utah27 minutes agoSan Juan County assessor resigns after allegations of being ‘unfit’ for office
-
Vermont34 minutes agoNorman Rockwell finally gets his day in new Shelburne Museum exhibit
-
Virginia37 minutes agoMotorcoach failed to slow for traffic in Virginia work zone before crash that killed 5 from Western Mass., NTSB says – The Boston Globe
