[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 147 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HEROES MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA FLOODING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2015

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the past few days have 
been an extraordinary catastrophe, correctly identified by Governor 
Nikki Haley of South Carolina as a ``thousand year rain'' causing 
flooding and damage across South Carolina. Fortunately, Hurricane 
Joaquin bypassed the state after causing destruction in the Bahamas 
but, it created a weather anomaly of record rainfall of over 20 inches 
and flooding. I am grateful to the National Weather Service and senior 
forecaster John Quagliariello, for monitoring the situation and 
providing early warnings for our citizens.
  Six generations of my family have lived on Wilton Road in Springdale, 
which was washed away during the storm for the first time ever since 
construction in 1890. I am grateful that our home was spared major 
damage, though thousands were not so fortunate.
  Our state officials were true leaders and handled the catastrophe 
impressively. When visiting the State Emergency Response Center in Pine 
Ridge, I thanked Governor Nikki Haley, Adjutant General Bob Livingston, 
and Attorney General Alan Wilson for leading the recovery, as well as 
South Carolina Emergency Management Division Kim Stinson. I am further 
grateful for the National Guard's role in aiding the relief efforts--
three of my sons, Alan, Julian, and Hunter, were activated for National 
Guard disaster service.
  I visited the world-class Lexington County Emergency Response Center, 
led by Director Bo Davenport, with Sheriff Jay Koon and County 
Administrator Joe Mergo where I thanked the dedicated personnel who 
saved many lives.
  In between stops, I appreciated thanking Columbia Mayor Steve 
Benjamin for his leadership and I thanked Homeland Secretary Jeh 
Johnson for coming to tour the impacted areas this Friday with 
Congressman Jim Clyburn and myself. Mayor Mike Miller of Wagener 
assured me his Aiken County community was secure.
  Lexington Mayor Steve MacDougall and Town of Lexington Police Chief 
Terrence Green gave me a first-hand tour of multiple pond dam breaks, 
including the Mill Pond blocking U.S. Highway 1 of Main Street in 
Lexington.
  I visited the Lake Katherine neighborhood with State Representative 
Kirkman Finlay of Columbia, where I met homeowners and volunteers 
already planning the reconstruction of their homes. Sheriff Leon Lott 
had experienced deputies at critical roadways.
  At the Red Cross shelter at A.C. Flora High School, I thanked the 
A.C. Flora Key Club and other volunteers who distributed bottled water, 
food, diapers, and clothes to those who had lost everything. I am 
grateful to Richland School District One Board Member Beatrice King and 
State Senator Joel Lourie for coordinating such a positive outpouring 
of donations from the community.
  Visiting the Richland County Emergency Center, led by Columbia Deputy 
Fire Chief Tisdale, there were dedicated personnel thoughtfully 
handling calls of distress.
  At the Seven Oaks Recreation Center shelter, sponsored by the Irmo-
Chapin Recreation Commission, I thanked the organizers: Director 
Elizabeth Taylor and Park Director John Cantey. I saw first-hand how 
those who had to flee their homes found people who cared and supported 
them.
  A lesson learned is that in the watersheds of multiple downstream 
dams, as exist in Richland and Lexington counties, there should be a 
coordination of lowering water levels to anticipate extraordinary 
rainfall to reduce the potential for sequential dam failures resulting 
in catastrophic loss of life and property damages.
  Late yesterday, I returned to my Congressional office in West 
Columbia, where I found that a leak in the roof had caused the ceiling 
and light fixture above my desk to collapse.
  Though the destruction of the 1000-year event was catastrophic, it 
was a testament to the people of South Carolina working together for 
the common good.

                          ____________________