COLUMBIA, S.C. —
Hurricane Helene strengthened into a category 4 storm as it neared the Florida coast this evening. The Midlands has already experienced heavy rain and flooding in some areas.
“The rain was fairly moderate this morning, but it got a bit harder around lunchtime, and the water started accumulating, so we were monitoring it. It came up about maybe two to three inches from our door frame, and that's when we pulled out the sandbags, just in case it rose further,” Nayo Harvin, owner of Sweet GG’s Bakery, said.
That’s what Harvin said she saw when she opened her store on Thursday morning. Luckily for her, the rain slowed down, and she didn’t need the sandbags.
Five Points did experience heavy rain Thursday, but there were no signs of heavy flooding that often impacts the area.
Some stores stayed open Thursday, but we saw others had closed with sandbags placed in front of their doors.
As the storm continues through the night, some business owners are remaining positive.
“We just hoping there's not a lot of damage when we come back in in the morning,” Harvin said.