A flash flood warning is in place for Columbia until 6 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, flooding is expected in the area. All classes and campus activities are cancelled as of noon on Friday, in accordance with the Richland County Government closure. Tropical Storm Hermine has caused 3-4 inches of rain to fall on Columbia as of 3 p.m., with a possibility of several inches more. There is currently a flash flood watch as well as a high wind warning for Richland County. Winds could reach 40 mph with Friday afternoon expected to bring the strongest winds, according to the wind warning in effect until 2 a.m. Saturday. According to the SCE&G outage map, 5,530 customers in Richland County are currently without power. While North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia have declared a state of emergency, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has refrained.
Any flash flood warnings on campus will be put out on Carolina Alert, but USC is recommending that students avoid places on campus that are prone to flooding.
According to Carolina Alert, these areas include:
The intersection of Main and Whaley streets
Parking lots behind 300 Main St. and the Blatt P.E. Center
Under the Sumter Street railroad bridge
Under the Pickens Street pedestrian crossing
Five Points
Dining in Russell House is staying open for normal hours, as well as Community Table, Gibbs, Bates and Honeycomb. All other dining facilities will be shut by 2 p.m., according to a tweet from Carolina Dining.
This post will continue to be updated throughout the day