Orangeburg Residents Anxious Over Unrepaired Flood Damage

Residents near the Edisto River remain concerned about lingering flood damage from over a year ago.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 9:48am

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Residents in an Orangeburg County neighborhood along the Edisto River are still dealing with the aftermath of severe flooding over 17 months ago, as a damaged roadway remains unusable. The flooding, which occurred during a tornado watch in 2024, has left neighbors without a key access point despite continued property tax payments. Local officials say several agencies are now involved in evaluating the situation, but residents say they've received conflicting information and little action so far.

Why it matters

The lack of repair to the damaged roadway has created ongoing challenges for residents, especially elderly neighbors who rely on the road to access medical appointments. The situation also highlights the difficulties in coordinating between private and public entities to address infrastructure issues stemming from severe weather events.

The details

The flooding in 2024 damaged the roadway on Oakmont Drive, leaving it unusable for nearly 17 months. Residents say the sound of heavy rain now brings anxiety, as they worry about the possibility of further flooding. The damaged area sits beside a privately owned pond that overflowed during the 2024 flooding, which residents believe contributed to the road damage. Officials say the county is responsible for maintaining the road, but a repair project of this scale could require assistance from the state Department of Transportation. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services is also assessing the pipe infrastructure beneath the roadway to determine if the drainage system needs updates.

  • The flooding that damaged the roadway occurred during a tornado watch in 2024.
  • The roadway has remained unusable for nearly 17 months since the 2024 flooding event.

The players

Bonita Simmons

A resident on Oakmont Drive who says the damaged roadway has left neighbors without a key access point, despite their continued payment of property taxes.

Ballard Williams

Another resident on Oakmont Drive who says the lack of clear communication from officials has added to residents' frustration, and that severe weather often raises anxiety among neighbors who remain uncertain about the area's stability.

Orangeburg County

The county is responsible for maintaining the road, but a repair project of this scale could require assistance from the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

The agency is assessing the pipe infrastructure beneath the roadway to determine if the drainage system needs updates.

Private pond owner

The privately owned pond near the roadway has changed ownership several times, which emergency management officials say has made it difficult to identify who is responsible for addressing the issue.

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What they’re saying

“Every time it rains, I look out my patio doors and think, 'Oh God, don't let it be a major flood.'”

— Bonita Simmons, Resident

“All we've been getting is conflicting stories. They've been kicking the can down the road.”

— Ballard Williams, Resident

“When weather comes through this time of year, our anxiety level rises because we don't know what to expect according to what has already been done so far.”

— Ballard Williams, Resident

What’s next

Local officials say several agencies are now involved in evaluating the situation, including assessing the pipe infrastructure beneath the roadway and determining responsibility for the privately owned pond. Until those assessments are complete, residents say they are still waiting for clear answers on when the damaged roadway will be repaired.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges residents can face when severe weather events cause damage to critical infrastructure, and the complexities involved in coordinating between various public and private entities to address the issues. The lack of clear communication and action has left these Orangeburg County residents feeling frustrated and uncertain about the future of their neighborhood.