Mayor Cogswell announces plan to better react to and prepare for flooding events

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston Mayor William Cogswell is rolling out an initiative that the city says will help bolster its preparedness and response capabilities for severe weather and flood events.

The plan was announced just days after the city saw significant rainfall and flooding, which prompted the Charleston Wine and Food Festival to close its culinary village. Downtown Charleston set a daily record for rainfall on Saturday at 3.63”. The original record of 1.43” was set in 1948.

City leaders said their initiative provides increased accountability on city government to residents regarding flooding by establishing a protocol before severe or problematic weather occurs. Their goal is to ensure people remain safe and stay informed.

“The residents of Charleston have demanded accountability with rainy-day flooding, and Mayor Cogswell is leading swiftly and directing to provide action,” the city said in an announcement.

The city’s so-called ‘Active Flooding Mitigation Plan’ will be activated 24-48 hours before a weather event occurs, which they said will give city services and residents enough time to prepare.

But the plan announced Wednesday is similar to steps the city took before past severe weather events like hurricanes and tropical storms:

• Opening city garages ahead of time to allow for free, temporary parking on high-ground
• Proactively placing pumps in vulnerable areas before flooding occurs
• Lowering water levels in Colonial and Dotterer lakes
• Cleaning drains and streets in flood-prone areas before severe weather events

Streets and intersections prone to flooding will also be closed ahead of time under the city’s new plan.

“It takes all of us as a community to address flooding, but the city is going to do its part to do better. Our city will always live with water, but we need to be proactive in how we mitigate the risks,” said Mayor Cogswell. “My administration has a bias towards action and will always strive to provide residents the high-quality service they deserve.”

City leaders say residents will be alerted to potential severe weather and the Active Flood Mitigation Plan activation through its website, on social media, and through the NotifyMe text alerts and CHS trash tracker app.