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Polk, Landrum assesses damage after 7.5 inches of rain

FOOTHILLS—A week ago, the area had just received a surprise snow with some schools letting out early, then on Friday school was out or delayed and officials were assessing damage from the area receiving 7.45 inches of rain in a little over 24 hours. 

The National Weather Service reports that Tryon received 1.36 inches of rain on Wednesday and another 6.09 inches of rain on Thursday, but other reports from around the area include home reports of up to 11.5 inches of rain in a little over a day. 

The Columbus Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team rescued more than a dozen people Thursday from a local daycare, including several children who were flooded. 

Columbus Fire Chief Tony Priester said his department was first to be dispatched to a flooded business, then was called to a daycare with 15 children trapped by water. Priester also said the team was also called to a house with five people trapped inside. 

All the rescues were successful Thursday in Polk County. 

The Tryon Fire Department also saved a cat that had been lost in the Melrose area and was discovered trapped in a sewer drain. The cat was taken by Polk County Animal Control and taken to the Foothills Humane Society and the owners located. 

Several roads were closed for high water Thursday and some were washed completely away in the area. 

In Polk County, Green River Cove Road at the first bridge was closed; Hooker Road at Screven Road; Hunting Country Road at Carriage Row; John Watson Road at White Oak Creek; Scriven Road; South River Road at the bridge and West Melvin Hill Road at the state line were all closed, according to the Polk County Emergency Management Department. 

Lake Lanier rose to some of its highest levels, with reports of water being 6-8 inches over the tops of docks. The water had recessed and was back below docks by Friday morning. 

Polk County Schools dismissed Thursday at 1:15 p.m. and operated on a two-hour delay Friday because of some of the road conditions. 

All of Spartanburg County Schools were closed Friday, including District One in Landrum because of the conditions of some of the roads. 

The area had flash flood and tornado watches most of the day Thursday. 

The NWS issued a wind advisory Friday until 6 p.m. for Polk County. Polk County officials said Friday that all roads that were affected by the severe weather and flooding Thursday were open to traffic Friday morning. 

Anyone who wants to be informed about future weather and other emergencies in Polk County can follow Polk County Local Government, Polk County Emergency Management/Fire Marshal and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, Polk County Local Government on Twitter at @Polk CountyNC or sign up for NIXLE phone alerts by texting their zip code to 888777.