AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Thursday, Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in South Carolina to help the state respond to flooding in parts of the Midlands and Lowcountry.

The Governor activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and finalizes possible future state response efforts.

“Team South Carolina has been responding to the effects of flooding and subsequent road closures in portions of the state throughout the day,” McMaster said. “The State of Emergency will ensure that our responders have every tool to continue their efforts.”

River flooding will continue into next week on parts of the Edisto River.

Citizens are asked to avoid driving in areas that may be severely affected and avoid driving through flooded roads.

According to officials, some roads were closed, some schools were postponed and others were canceled due to heavy flooding in Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg and Orangeburg counties.

PHOTO GALLERY: Orangeburg County Flooding

Aiken County

Aiken County Public School District officials announced that schools and offices will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule Thursday due to heavy rains that caused flooding, inundation and road closures throughout the county.

Due to the delay in the start, only lunch was served. Students on the half-day program did not go to school on Thursday.

There were no morning classes at the Aiken County Career Center. Students notified their high schools with a two-hour delay.

The Aiken Department of Public Safety has closed the following roads:

• Junction of University Park Road and Vaucluse Road

Authorities ask motorists to seek alternative routes and avoid these areas until further notice.

Best Friend Express public transport buses will also be delayed by 2 hours on November 7 due to floods.

Allendale County

Allendale County School District officials announced that all after-school events and activities will be canceled Thursday due to heavy rain expected throughout the afternoon.

Officials request that you make arrangements for your child to be picked up promptly at the normal departure time.

Bamberg County

All Bamberg County Schools will switch to eLearning day on Friday due to worsening road conditions, officials said.

The schools also organized an e-Learning day on Thursday.

Students should follow their distance learning plans and log in as directed by their teachers. Additionally, all after-school programs and events are canceled today.

Emanuel County

As of 4:05 p.m. Thursday, the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners announced multiple road closures implemented by the public works team.

The full list of closures is on the website Facebook page as follows.

They also say water touched the base of the bridge over Highway 80 to Portal at 15 Mile Creek, just outside the Twin City.

That’s why they say the Ministry of Transport closed it down and an inspector headed to the scene.

Orangeburg County

Orangeburg County School District officials announced that all Orangeburg County School District campuses will remain closed Friday due to ongoing weather conditions, challenging roads and the condition of some school buildings.

Schools were also closed on Thursday.

The district emphasized that it will continue to monitor conditions and provide further updates as needed.

“Please stay safe and thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” a news release said.

Orangeburg County Emergency Operations Center officials said parts of Central and West Orangeburg County experienced flash flooding and many roads were closed.

here it is You can view the list of closed roads.

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