A Pee Dee town struggles to recover from two floods in three years

Nichols, South Carolina

 

Saving a Pee Dee town from the next flood

2016 and 2018 will be remembered as the years that forever changed the small town of Nichols, South Carolina.

Floodwaters from Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 and Hurricane Florence in September 2018 flooded out the town, which sits at the confluence of the Lumber and Little Pee Dee Rivers. For residents, business owners and town leaders, it meant rebuilding homes and businesses, having to live with friends for months at a time and hoping that the federal government would step in to assist residents who were spending their lifetime savings to rebuild.

Carolina News reporter Matthew Edwards interviewed residents of the Nichols community to learn about their struggles, how the town is applying for federal and state funding to rebuild and what the town is doing to prevent a third flood.  If they do not obtain outside help, Nichols town leaders fear the town could cease to exist.

Take a few minutes to read about life in Nichols over the last four years.

About The Author

Matthew Edwards

Matthew Edwards is a first generation senior journalism student from Dillon, South Carolina. Skilled in digital media, social media and public speaking, Edwards has a combined interest in the journalism and public relations fields. Edwards most recently worked for the nonprofit Homeless No More in Columbia, South Carolina as a communications and public relations intern. Edwards has also worked at The State newspaper and The Daily Gamecock. Outside of the newsroom, Edwards can be found hanging out with friends, watching sports on television, attending Gamecock athletic events and traveling.