Local emergency officials do not expect any major flooding to result from high water levels in the Savannah River, but the situation is still being monitored.
There is still a possibility for flooding tonight and Monday night, but the river level has gone down slightly, said Anson Calmes, an emergency manager with the Chatham Emergency Management Agency.
Right now, the Savannah River at Clyo is at 18 feet, which is down about half of a foot from Thursday night. So far, CEMA has not seen any evidence for water rising to River Street’s plaza and parking lots or on U.S. 80 between the Bull River and Tybee Island.
“That’s a good sign,” Calmes said, “but that doesn’t tell us what the astronomical high tides are going to do.”
The highest risk for any flooding tonight is between 7-8:30 p.m., he said, adding that CEMA will be checking the river from a helicopter.
The Coast Guard, too, is monitoring the situation.
“We’re expecting it to be managed effectively and really expecting minimal impact,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Sawyer with the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit in Savannah.
He said the peak of the river will likely be Monday evening at high tide, which is about 9 p.m. Right now, he said, it’s important for those operating boats to be aware of their surroundings.
“We want boaters to be aware of floating debris possibly coming downstream and to watch mooring lines to prevent vessel breakaways that could cause additional hazards in the river,” Sawyer said.
In the event that water levels do rise atop roadways, police are prepared to close streets where necessary.
—Dash Coleman