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Lumber River near Nichols

National Weather Service gauge NICS1 · South Carolina · Horry County · 34.2258, -79.1344 · USGS 02134900

Flood levels

Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 18.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 20.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 25.0 ft; major flooding begins at 26.0 ft.

Action stage18.0 ft
Minor flooding20.0 ft
Moderate flooding25.0 ft
Major flooding26.0 ft

Highest recorded crests

What the water does

National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.

19.0 ftFlooding of lowlands along the river and nearby tributaries begins.
20.0 ftMinor flooding along River Road east of Nichols on the Horry County side of the river. Structures in the lowlands accessible by unpaved roads nearer the river will likely be isolated. Downstream of Nichols, low areas in Fork Retch may flood.
21.0 ftFlooding worsens along River Road and begins along Drowning Creek Dr. The Fork Retch community downstream of Nichols will experience minor flooding.
22.0 ftRiver Road and Drowning Creek Road are almost completely flooded and residences in the area may be cutoff by flooding. Flooding may begin along Averette RD and AWT RD in Nichols. Flooding worsens in Fork Retch and Wildlife Action RD may flood near Fork Retch CT. As the water rises toward 23 feet, Pee Dee Island RD and Page RD may flood in Nichols.
23.0 ftFlooding worsens on River Road,Drowning Creek Drive,Averette RD,and AWT RD. Pee Dee Island RD and Page RD flood. Flooding begins along Waccamaw Street,Maple Street,N Main ST,and other low areas east of Mullins ST. Canal ST and Kemper RD may flood. As the water rises toward 24 FT,W Pee Dee ST,S Main ST,and S Nichols ST may flood. River Road and Drowning Creek DR on the Horry County side may only be accessible only by boat. In Fork Retch,Fork Retch CT will flood near Rhode Island CT and south of Tidewater CT.
24.0 ftFlooding begins along Pee Dee Street, South Nichols Street, North Nichols Street, South Main Street, Kemper Road, Tupelo Street, and along Mullins Street near Awt Road. Flooding worsens along Maple Street and Awt Road. River Road and Drowning Creek Drive may only be accessible by boat.
25.0 ftFlooding reaches Pee Dee Street, S Nichols Street, South Main Street, Kemper Road, Canal ST and Tupelo Street. Flooding begins along North Nichols Street and worsens along Maple Street and in areas along and east of Mullins ST. Part of the railroad in town may be flooded. All of River Road and Drowning Creek Drive may only be accessible by boat. In Fork Retch, the community may only be accessible by boat due to deep water on Wildlife Action RD and Fork Retch CT near RD Island CT.
26.0 ftExtensive flooding along the river. All parts of Nichols will be flooded and many areas will be isolated. Nearly every road is flooded and some may be impassable,but parts of town will remain dry. Road access to Nichols may be limited to US Rte 76 coming in from the east. Flooding on Mullins ST extends from near AWT RD to Fork Retch CT. River RD and Drowning Creek DR have several feet of water on them. In Fork Retch,nearly all of Fork Retch CT is flooded with water several feet deep along much of the road.
27.0 ftExtensive flooding along the river. Nearly all of Nichols will be flooded. Road access to Nichols will be limited to US Rte 76 coming in from the east. Flooding on Mullins ST extends from near AWT RD to Fork Retch CT. River RD and Drowning Creek DR have several feet of water on them. In Fork Retch,nearly all of Fork Retch CT is flooded and the water is several feet deep along much of the road. Water levels will be similar to those seen after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018.
28.0 ftExtensive flooding along the river. Nearly all of Nichols will be flooded. Road access to Nichols will be limited to US Rte 76 coming in from the east. Flooding on Mullins ST extends from near AWT RD to Fork Retch CT. River RD and Drowning Creek DR have several feet of water on them. In Fork Retch, nearly all of Fork Retch CT is flooded and the water is several feet deep along much of the road. Water levels will be worse than those seen after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018.

Forecast office: NWS Wilmington · River Forecast Center: Southeast River Forecast Center.

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