Prepping for Michael

Owners and operators of South Carolina reservoirs are being advised by DHEC to check their dams and take appropriate steps to safely lower the water levels today and the next several days to prepare for potential problems caused by heavy rainfall from Hurricane Michael. Soils are saturated from last month’s hurricane. Hurricane force winds can topple trees causing large voids where trees are uprooted. Loss of soil from a dam can impact its structural integrity and can provide a path for water from the pond to exit in an uncontrolled manner. And that condition can lead to failure. Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is preparing for the potential for power outages. “We’re getting ready just in case that this new hurricane causes more trouble than we expect at this time,” says Blue Ridge spokesman Terry Ballenger.