South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley declared a state of emergency Thursday evening in anticipation of high rainfall totals and flooding as part of the impacts of Hurricane Joaquin, according to The State.
The declaration allows for local and state offices to begin preparation for the anticipated flash flooding as well as for the state National Guard to work alongside the state Emergency Management Division.
Coastal areas of the state are already experiencing the effects of high rain totals, which are predicted by the National Weather Service to reach seven inches in the Columbia area by Sunday morning. The Post and Courier reports that schools in the Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Two districts have already announced closings for Friday.