“Second nature to us” — Five Points prepares for possible flooding from Tropical Storm Debby

FIVE POINTS OF COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Steady rain is in the forecast for the next few days, and Columbia’s flood-prone neighborhood of Five Points isn’t waiting around to prepare.

With downed trees now cleared from Devine Street in front of Pout and City of Columbia employees still picking up fallen branches from storms over the weekend, sandbags have been placed by nearly every door in Five Points — with businesses looking forward to Debby disappearing.

Jenna Tubolino and Caitlin Kruse work at Drip Coffee and Scoopy Doo Gelato.

“The most we’re doing right now is putting sandbags in front of the doors with plastic wrap in hopes that it’s not going to flood,” says Tubolino.

“I feel like we get a lot of support from the Five Points Association; they’re pretty on top of it. With the weather, providing the sandbags, telling us what to do and where to park in case of flooding, we really depend on the Five Points Association,” says Kruse. “We love them, yes,” reiterates Tubolino.

After their doors being open for 32 years, Don McCallister, the co-owner of Loose Lucy’s, says preparing for flooding events is “second nature to us.”

“I wish there was a solution to our problem down here, but truthfully, we’re in a basin. We’re in the absolute lowest point in the city, right out here in this intersection, and it’s built on top of Wetlands that have been filled in 100 plus years ago, and that’s part of why we just deal with it,” says McCallister.

And resiliency seems to be key in Five Points.

“A little rain’s not gonna scare us off from doing business down here, and it probably won’t scare off customers either believe it or not,” says McCallister.

“It’s gonna be a lot slower than it usually would be but we still have people coming in,” says Tubolino.

“Well prepping for water, food, necessities, things like that, because you might not be able to go back out, just being safe is everything, and having everything you need…Medication…Very important,” says local resident Felicia Metcalf before grabbing some groceries at Food Lion.

On her list today? Non-perishable canned goods.

“Just in case the power goes out, or I might just try to cook up a big pot of stew before, so we can just eat all day!” she jokes.

According to FirstStreet.org, nearly half of all properties in Five Points are located in an area with a moderate risk of flooding.