Best Moving Company in Hilton Head Island

From hundreds of miles away, Hurricane Rafael has brought a deluge of rain to the Hilton Head Island area and across the Southeast. The cyclone plowed through Cuba as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night before spilling westbound into the Gulf of Mexico and weakening slightly.

Beaufort and Jasper counties were placed under a hazardous weather outlook around noon Thursday, and inland Jasper County was under a flood watch until 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service’s Charleston office. “A period of persistent and heavy rainfall” Thursday afternoon could bring localized flooding to the two counties and portions of Georgia, meteorologists said.

Some inland areas of Georgia and South Carolina, including Jasper County, received eight to 10 inches of rain overnight, according to an NWS briefing at 11 a.m. Thursday. Beaufort County and its southern neighbors were expected to see an additional 1.5-2.5 inches Thursday and possible “dense fog” Thursday night into early Friday.

Jasper County officials said the overnight rainfall resulted in “unsafe roads in parts of the county” and warned residents to not drive through water-covered routes. Conditions could also bring washouts to certain roadways, according to a Thursday morning alert.

Police and fire personnel from Beaufort and Jasper counties said they were not aware of any road closures as of 1 p.m. Thursday. Stephen Combs, a spokesperson for the Bluffton Township Fire District, said Thursday afternoon crews had responded to a handful of non-serious collisions caused by hydroplaning vehicles.

Chance of rain in the Beaufort area will drop below 20% beginning 11 p.m. Thursday and below 10% Friday afternoon, forecasts say. A cold front is expected to move into the Southeast on Friday, bringing isolated showers.

As of 10 a.m. Thursday, Rafael remained a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Initial projections saw the storm heading towards Louisiana and the U.S. Gulf Coast, but beginning midweek the cyclone shifted to its current westward path over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Rafael is the 17th named storm of the 2024 hurricane season, which concludes at the end of November.

This story was originally published November 7, 2024, 1:46 PM.

For nearly two years, Beaufort County elected officers have been awaiting a spate of expected rulings from the state’s ethics commission on accusations of violations against the employees of the administrative team led, at the time, by County Administrator Eric Greenway.

Late October, the former Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper was the first employee to get word she has been cited for a pair of ethics violations that come with fines and raise questions about what’s to come next.

Understanding the context of this report is to recall the chaos that county’s leadership was in during the first seven months of 2023 prior to the termination of Greenway.

The South Carolina Ethics Commission recently investigated Loper in response to two separate complaints, ultimately finding multiple ethics violations. This inquiry is just one of several investigations against county leaders that may expose a pattern of alleged impropriety across county departments.

While the state’s ethics commission cited concerns over Loper’s authorization of payments to family members and reimbursement procedures, it issued a public reprimand and fine in one case and waived further proceedings in the other.

Fired in October 2023, Loper is facing accusations that include unauthorized payments to family members, misuse of county equipment and participation in an unapproved almost $800,000 playground purchase.

Loper, who served Beaufort County for over seven years, was hired to a similar role as the interim parks director in Rincon, Georgia, despite the ongoing scrutiny. Then-Rincon City Manager Jonathan Lynn supported her hiring, citing her transparency about the allegations and commitment to ethical governance. He acknowledged, however, that the ongoing ethics investigations could impact her permanent status with the city.

Lynn resigned from his position effective Sept. 3, citing personal reasons for his departure with a media outlet. Following his resignation, Robert Byrd was hired to fill the city manager role; when contacting City Hall regarding Byrd’s office, he was unavailable. An employee at Loper’s city line stated, “She is no longer here.”

At the heart of the complaints against Loper are two allegations: the first alleges she paid family members, including her sons, nearly $7,000 for services such as officiating sports games and cheer camp coaching. The second claim asserts she used county resources for personal property projects. Loper has responded publicly as a guest on former County Council Member Mike Covert’s podcast, Beaufort County’s House of Cards, defending the necessity and qualifications of her sons’ involvement due to challenges in finding other qualified staff for certain activities.

The first complaint, filed in October 2023, involved allegations that Loper authorized payments to her four sons, who worked as independent contractors for the Parks and Recreation department during her tenure. From 2020 to 2023, Loper approved multiple invoices for her sons’ work, with payments totaling over $6,600, according to the consent order. This included contracts and authorization for her son Dayton Loper to provide services for the county.

The Commission determined that Loper’s actions violated the state’s code of laws, specifically provisions prohibiting public employees from participating in decisions that economically benefit their family members, according to the consent order. In response, Loper acknowledged the violations in a consent order but stated she sought advice from Greenway, county legal and finance officials, who approved her actions due to staffing shortages.

The consent order also reads that the ethics commission acknowledged that there was no evidence to suggest Loper paid her sons’ above standard rates.

The ethics commission issued a public reprimand to Loper, citing five counts of ethics violations, and ordered her to pay a reduced civil penalty of $1,000 along with a $500 administrative fee.

In a second complaint, filed in May 2024, Loper faced allegations of improperly using county funds for personal expenses during a work conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2022. The complaint claimed she rented a house and a van with county funds for personal excursions, which included sightseeing, dining and visiting a rodeo.

The investigation revealed that Loper used a county-issued p-card to rent a house and van to accommodate five Beaufort County employees, resulting in savings compared to individual hotel bookings. The house rental cost $2,477.57 — about $1,770 less than the estimated cost for separate hotel rooms. Employees used the van for both conference-related and personal activities, with personal expenses shared among the group and no additional cost to the county, according to the decision and order.

While the ethics commission found no evidence of misuse of county funds for these activities, it did discover that Loper had authorized her own reimbursement for daily expenses after the conference, potentially violating ethics rules against self-authorization in transactions with personal financial interest. The commission found probable cause for this violation but waived further proceedings.

Loper’s case is only one in a wave of ethics complaints hitting the county. Former County Attorney Brittany Ward recently resigned amid unrelated scrutiny over a profitable land sale involving her family’s property, which was sold to Beaufort County at a significant gain. This sale has raised questions, as it took place while she held her official role.

Ward’s resignation comes alongside former County Attorney Thomas Keaveny’s retirement, which was also marked by controversies, including his involvement in hiring practices and consulting contracts with former employees. Keaveny’s tenure showed he had been demoted and later reinstated as county attorney shortly after criticism over a proposed ordinance to curb public speaking at council meetings.

The departure of two top county attorneys leaves the county in a leadership transition during a period marked by nine formal complaints against officials. The complaints are as follows:

To date, the ethics commission has only ruled on two of the complaints against Loper.

Efforts to reach Loper and current Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director Alex Brown were unsuccessful.

This story was originally published November 7, 2024, 10:38 AM.

Follow more of our reporting on In the Spotlight

Elections

November 05, 2024 11:29 PM

See all stories

On Friday at 2:07 a.m. an updated flood warning was issued by the NWS Columbia SC in effect until Tuesday at 1 a.m.

Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. A record crest of 15.34 ft was reached for North Fork Edisto River at Orangeburg until early Tuesday morning.

"At 8.0 feet, Some minor flooding occurs along the boardwalk at Edisto Gardens. Downstream from the Highway 301 bridge, some roads off Chiquita street near the river begin to flood. At 10.0 feet, Farmland and lowlands along Highway 301 near Orangeburg become flooded at stages above 10 ft. At 11.0 feet, The river exceeds levee diking at stages above 11 ft. Large areas in the city of Orangeburg will be flooded. At 12.0 feet, Secondary roads near Orangeburg become flooded at stages above 12 ft. Extensive farmland and lowlands downstream from Orangeburg will be flooded. At 14.0 feet, The dike along the river in the city of Orangeburg will be topped. Extensive areas of the city including US Highway 301 and the Edisto Memorial Gardens will be flooded," explains the NWS. "Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Flooded roadways are nearly impossible to see at night. Avoid traveling in this area. Turn around, don't drown. Residents and those with interests near the river should monitor rising water levels and take action if necessary. Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a flooded roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown. The next statement will be issued this afternoon at 2:15 p.m."

This warning is in effect until Tuesday at 1 a.m.

If you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances. Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, get out. Stay out of water that may have electricity in it. Don't walk through flood waters. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.

During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. It is imperative to avoid driving through any water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the NWS, most cars can be swept away by just 12 inches of rushing water.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is primarily caused by three factors:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to [email protected].

This story was originally published November 6, 2024, 10:54 PM.

The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.

On Thursday at 3:54 a.m. an updated flash flood warning was issued by the NWS Columbia SC. The warning is for Bamberg, Calhoun, Clarendon, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter counties.

"At 3:54 a.m., Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling across the warned area. Between 4 and 7 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," according to the NWS. "This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 124 and 161."

Locations impacted by the warning include Sumter, Orangeburg, Bamberg, Denmark, Brookdale, South Sumter, St. Matthews, Eastover, Elloree, Claflin College, South Carolina State University, Edisto Gardens, Orangeburg County Airport, Congaree National Park, Gadsden, Sandy Run, Santee State Park, Hopkins, Poinsett State Park and Swansea.

"Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas," adds the NWS. "Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a flooded roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown. Flooded roadways are nearly impossible to see at night. Avoid traveling in this area. Turn around, don't drown."

This warning is in effect until 5:30 a.m.

For either residents or campers of flood-prone, low-lying areas, take immediate action and seek higher ground. Follow evacuation instructions without delay. If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances. Avoid entering basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged in water. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate the area immediately. Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters. Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet. If you find yourself trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and contact emergency services, and dial 911.

During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. It is imperative to avoid driving through any water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the NWS, most cars can be swept away by just 12 inches of rushing water.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The three main causes of hydroplaning are:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to [email protected].

This story was originally published November 6, 2024, 6:17 PM.

On Thursday at 3:42 a.m. an updated flood advisory was issued by the NWS Columbia SC. The advisory is for Calhoun, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Richland and Sumter counties.

Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected for Calhoun, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Richland and Sumter counties until 5:45 a.m.

"Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent," describes the NWS. "Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a flooded roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown."

This advisory is in effect until 5:45 a.m.

For either residents or campers of flood-prone, low-lying areas, take immediate action and seek higher ground. Follow evacuation instructions without delay. If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances. Avoid entering basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged in water. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate the area immediately. Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters. Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet. If you find yourself trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and contact emergency services, and dial 911.

During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. It is imperative to avoid driving through any water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the NWS, most cars can be swept away by just 12 inches of rushing water.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The top three contributors to hydroplaning are:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to [email protected].

This story was originally published November 6, 2024, 5:30 PM.