Columbia’s Blossom Street bridge, many commuter roads closed due to flooding

Many Columbia streets, intersections and one bridge were closed Thursday after 2 inches of rain had fallen by 2:30 p.m. from Hurricane Helene.

The highly traveled Blossom Street bridge between Columbia and West Columbia was closed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation after heavy flooding closed the intersection of Blossom and Huger streets. That’s the site of the Park Place apartments and a construction site for a new student apartment complex. USC’s Founders Park is nearby.

North Trenholm at Forest Drive also flooded, along with Shakespeare and Hardscrabble roads. All lanes were closed at Two Notch Road near Spring Valley High School, according to the Richland-Country Sheriff’s Department. 

The Columbia Police Department on Thursday afternoon was redirecting traffic along Blossom and Huger intersection. The water level receded by 2 p.m. Westbound traffic on Blossom was being rerouted to Gervais, and Huger traffic was being rerouted to Greene Street.

Officers were directing traffic and to try to keep accidents down.

“Turn around, don’t drown,” spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons of the Columbia Police Department reminded drivers. 

“We don’t want anyone to try to take the risk and make through a flooded area,” she said. “… We need drivers to be alert. If they don’t have to be on the roads we encourage them to not be out.”

Other flood-prone streets also were struggling with fast-moving water.

Familiar flooding at the intersection of Main and Whaley streets caused the Columbia-Richland Fire Department to close portions of Main and Whaley streets.

“If you’re out driving, obviously watch your speed,” said Mike DeSumma, spokesman for the Columbia-Richland Fire Department. “You want to be careful of hydroplaning. … Avoid unnecessary driving.”

The 1000 block of Key Road near Williams-Brice Stadium also flooded. A driver had to be rescued from a stranded car. No injuries were sustained.

Residents might have problems with things other than cars, DeSumma said.

“Make sure to have flashlights and spare batteries on hand in case you experience loss of power – just have an emergency kit on hand,” he said.

Just 6 inches of water can stall a vehicle, according to the CPD.

The University of South Carolina in downtown Columbia advised drivers to avoid the intersection of Main and Whaley streets, parking lots behind 300 Main St. and parking lots behind the Blatt P.E. Center, Sumter Street under the railroad bridge, Pickens Street under the pedestrian crossing and all of Five Points.

Columbia officials also warned of other flood-prone city streets and intersections:  

Adger and Devine

Barnwell and Pendleton

Blossom and Henderson

Blossom and Pickens

Blossom and Saluda

Bull and Calhoun

Bull and Laurel

Cannon (3300 block)

Catawba (1200 block)

Columbia College Drive and North Main

Duncan (3200 block)

Franklin and Marion

Franklin and Sumter

Gervais and Laurens

Harden and Calhoun

Harden and Read

Harden and Santee

Heyward and Ravenel

Main and Catawba

Main and Whaley

Monroe (entire 3200 block)

Monroe and Maple

Pickens between Wheat and Greene

Sumter (300 block)

Wheat (1400 block)

Wheat and Amherst

Wheat and Pickens

Wheat and Sumter