Six Confirmed Dead In South Carolina Flooding

More than a foot of rain fell overnight in the state capital Columbia, swamping hundreds of homes and businesses and threatening the water supply.
Six people have died in South Carolina in what has been described as the worst flooding in the state in a thousand years.

Hundreds of others have been rescued after rainstorms caused by Hurricane Joaquin swept through the state.

Emergency managers have issued a state wide alert telling people to remain indoors.

"Stay home. Stay off the roadways," South Carolina Emergency Management spokesperson Thom Berry said.

"Don't get on the roadways because you very likely can become part of the problem."

The message was endorsed by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

"We haven't seen this level of rain in the low country in 1,000 years. That's how big it is," she said.

She added: “The water is not safe and a lot of areas across the state where you see this deep water, it’s got bacteria in it, so stay inside and don’t get in there.” 

Emergency workers have waded into waist-deep water to help people trapped in cars.

Dozens of boats have also rescued people in flooded neighbourhoods with some being plucked from rooftops by helicopters.

Buildings and roads have crumpled and a major East Coast interstate route has been closed.

Officials in South Carolina have shut two major interstate bridges over the Broad River in Columbia.