SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) — Dorchester County has installed a new flood monitoring sensor upstream of the Ashley River to provide advanced warning of potential flooding events.
The sensor is on a bridge and operates around the clock, sending real-time information on water levels to emergency management officials and residents.
“The more time we have to see that it’s coming, the more alerts we can put out to people,” Hans Christopher Button, supervisor of the Special Operations Water Rescue Division, said.
Enhanced flood preparedness
The Ashley River has been prone to flooding during tropical storms and hurricanes, officials said. The new monitoring system gives emergency teams better data to make decisions.
“Being able to monitor the levels in the swamp gives us more advanced warning of what’s coming downstream,” Tristan Proctor, deputy director of emergency management for Dorchester County, said.
Previously, emergency teams had limited information when responding to potential flood situations.
“It’s a lot of a guessing game as far as where we think it’s going to rise, when we think it’s going to rise,” Button said.
The sensor provides trend data that helps the Emergency Management Division issue timely notifications to residents.
“At this point, these trends are saying it’s going to do this, which enables us, our EMD office, to act accordingly with notifications to the persons,” Button said.
Community impact
The technology benefits both emergency responders and county residents by providing early warning of approaching flood conditions.
“Informing, letting everybody know, hey, something’s coming down the line here,” Proctor said.
During flood events, Emergency Management and the Swift Water Team coordinate response efforts.
“Looking forward as county government into the situation and being prepared to respond,” Proctor said.
This marks the first sensor installed to measure upstream water levels on the Ashley River in Dorchester County.