Waccamaw River Flooding :Tourists Urged to Stay out of Flooded Areas

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) – Residents along the flooded Waccamaw River are urging would-be tourists to stay away from the disaster area so they do not cause further damage.

Homeowners tell the Sun News of Myrtle Beach that they are used to sightseers when the river floods, but recently they have had to yell at speeding boaters who are producing wakes that roll through the flooded homes.

Wayne Cooper says boaters have caused waves that knocked down some of his belongings into the water, including a lawnmower.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources has patrol boats on the river for security, rescue assistance and to warn boaters to slow down.

A Tuesday afternoon forecast said the river could reach 16.6 feet on Sunday, which would make it the river’s second highest on record.