Flash flooding hits parts of Columbia, traps vehicle as heavy rain pelts Midlands

Update 5:30 p.m.: Water had mostly receded by 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Rocky Branch Creek area and in Five Points. The flash flood warning over Columbia has also been lifted.

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5 p.m.: Flash flooding hit Five Points and the area along Rocky Branch Creek, according to reports from residents in the area. Rapids appeared to have formed along Rocky Branch Creek, in the area around Whaley and Assembly streets, with white waves of water rolling down the streets.

Local meteorologist Chris Jackson shared a video on Facebook of a vehicle that attempted to drive through the high water getting stuck. The driver of that vehicle exited through their car window, and moments later the vehicle was nearly underwater.

Power outages from the storm had taken out several streetlights Thursday afternoon, and left thousands without power, according to Dominion Energy’s power outage map. That map showed over 2,000 outages in the Shandon area alone as of 5 p.m. Thursday.

3:15 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Columbia area, including West Columbia and Dentsville, until 5:30 p.m. as heavy rain and thunder rolls through the area.

Residents may have received an emergency alert around 2:50 p.m., advising the public not to travel unless fleeing a flooding area. The emergency alert described the flooding risk as “a dangerous and life-threatening situation.”

A flash flood warning has also been issued for the Lexington area, including Irmo and Red Bank, until 6:15 p.m.

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The National Weather Service has advised that flash flooding is expected in areas that typically flood during heavy rain. Five Points and the intersection of Whaley and Assembly streets tend to be among the first areas that flood in downtown Columbia during heavy storms.

The city of Columbia Thursday afternoon also issued a warning to motorists to avoid flood-prone areas of the city.

By Thursday afternoon, Five Points had flooded, according to community reports. One resident shared photos on Facebook showing a large amount of water covering Five Points streets.

Last weekend, storms brought down a 125-year-old Oak tree in downtown Columbia and flooded several areas.