Conway, South Carolina, Residents Fear Saving Highway Will Doom Homes

In the wake of Hurricane Florence's record-setting rain, the Waccamaw River could reach a record flood stage this week. Conway residents like Joe Holmes, whose home was threatened by hurricanes Floyd and Matthew, and now Florence, are understandably concerned.  

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The 1.5-mile state flood protection project will add a second level of concrete barriers to the sides of US-501, one of only two routes in and out of a densely populated tourist hotspot. Could this act as a dam, pushing water into Conway homes? Officials say no — except for the ill-fated ones that were already going to flood.

“It’s never been done before. They can’t say for certain what it might do,” Holmes said Monday, surveying flooded areas in his golf cart. “Why is that highway so important? Why can’t they just fly food and fuel in? We’ve got a big airport.”

The Waccamaw River — which winds through Conway, population 23,000 and home to Coastal Carolina University — was already in a major flood at just over 15 feet (4.5 meters) Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The city had received 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain from Florence’s slow march inland, and homes were already threatened. By Friday afternoon, the river should top the record of 17.9 feet (5.5 meters), set just two years ago in flooding from Hurricane Matthew, which was just inches higher than the river’s crest in Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

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And it won’t stop there. By Saturday, the river should be at 18.7 feet (5.7 meters). Conway officials say they’ve been told to expect the river to rise up to an additional 2 feet (61 centimeters) after that, which would flood nearly 1,000 homes.

But on Monday, the Department of Transportation gave a presentation and convinced most Conway officials that the barrier isn’t a dam and water could continue to flow under the bridge.

“Because it is such a small distance and it isn’t a full barrier, the damming effect will be negligible,” Emrick said. “But if the river rises as forecasted, our understanding is those 944 homes will be at risk no matter what.”

Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy also changed her mind, saying: “This is the better plan for all of us. Our ability to get goods and services depends on there being an open highway somewhere.”

Some residents and City Council members aren’t so sure.

Holmes remains worried, and he said the state bears some responsibility if his home floods.

“What they build is changing the river in some way,” Holmes said.

“There’s no doubt,” Councilman Tom Anderson agreed. “They haven’t done it before. Why do it now?”