Friday, 7 August 2026, 22:00
Key Takeaways
Flash flooding hit Forest Acres, South Carolina, on Thursday after intense rain overwhelmed local drainage. The National Weather Service issued an urgent call for residents to seek higher ground as water rose quickly in the Columbia suburb.
Officials reported that Penn Branch Creek spilled over its banks, sending water across streets and causing a partial blockage of Brentwood Drive. Emergency crews responded to the area and police officers helped a driver escape safely from flooding on Budon Court, according to city officials.
“That was a doozy,” city officials said on Facebook, noting that the flooding struck right as parents were picking up children on the first day of school.
Footage captured by residents shows brown water covering residential streets, with some drivers trying to navigate through deep water. The NWS warned that additional heavy rain could produce more flooding in the area.
Although this flooding happened in South Carolina, the same weather setup can affect California, especially during winter storms and summer monsoons. In areas recently burned by wildfire, even moderate rain can trigger dangerous debris flows. California residents should always check NWS alerts before driving in heavy rain and never cross flooded roadways.
Local agencies in cities such as Brentwood, California, monitor creeks and low-lying roads during heavy storms. The Forest Acres scene is a reminder that a blocked road can become a trap in minutes.
South Carolina's Midlands have experienced severe flooding before. The 2015 storm known as the “1,000-year flood” swamped Columbia and surrounding areas, damaging thousands of homes. Flash flooding remains a recurring threat in the region, especially when storms stall over urban areas.
Flash flooding can turn streets into rivers in minutes. In Forest Acres, quick action by police helped prevent a worse outcome. Residents everywhere should take NWS warnings seriously and avoid driving into floodwater.
