SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — Counties all across the Midlands prepared for Tropical Storm Debby and Sumter was no exception.
“Power going out, worried about electricity, and then the roads definitely,” Those are all things Sumter residents like Elizabeth Hice say concerns them the storm makes its way through the Midlands.
Several residents in the area say the start of the storm reminds them of the 2015 floods, which is why they are preparing.
“ In 2015 we got over six feet of water in our house and lost the entire house, and so did our grandparents. that heavily impacted our family. we completely had to move out of the house. Lost a lot of stuff. We live in a new house now, but our grandparents, unfortunately still live in the same house. They just renovated the one that flooded, so they're currently very stressed and worried about the storm coming. so we've just been trying to help them prepare a little bit better,” Hice said.
City officials put out locations for residents to get sand at 107 E Hampton Street, 4888 Broad Street and Dillion Park.
In downtown Sumter local businesses say they plan to stay open while the weather permits.
“Most of the concerns we have is just that, the rain, if it's safe, we have an old building. It's over 100 years old I think so it's really, if the roof is going to leak, we can, make sure we're keeping an eye on that, making sure we're keeping an eye on the storm so it doesn't get any worse. Making sure our employees can come and go safely and we're trying to mediate all that by making sure we're keeping an eye on everything,” Deanne Williams from Under the Cover Bookstore said.
County officials say preparations have been underway since before Debby arrived in Sumter.
“The city has been diligent about clearing drains, stormed storm drains, and we're trying our best to keep the ditches clear so that water flows as best as we can,” Joe Perry the Sumter County Public Information Officer said.
Perry added “our typical storm preparation is drains, ditches. second mill pond was lowered. city lowered swan lake. there's several private ponds. hopefully, those owners are mindful of that. We've seen them lowering the water,”
Sumter is expected to get a total of about 10-15 inches of rain during the storm. The county has informed residents to prepare for heavy floods, power outages and downed trees.
“As the storm intensifies, as it rains more, and if we do get more wind, for people to stay off the roads, please, so our first responders can have clear roadways,” Perry said.
If you’re in need of water, Palmetto Oyster House and O'Gradys will be handing out cases of water Wednesday from 12-1:30pm on 415 W. Westmark Blvd in Sumter.