Black River crests in Georgetown, water level drops 5 inches

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) — Officials in Georgetown say the Black River crested overnight and water levels have dropped 5 inches.

Georgetown County spokeswoman Jackie Broach said Saturday the worst flooding appears to be over for some parts of the county.

Record rainfall dumped as much as 20 inches of rain in Columbia. That rain has swollen rivers past their banks as the water flowed to the coast, threatening coastal cities with more flooding.

The Waccamaw River crested Friday and began to recede. The Black River soon followed. Both rivers empty into Winyah Bay and the Atlantic ocean at Georgetown. The National Guard went from house to house on Friday urging people to evacuate, but many chose to stay.