CALHOUN COUNTY, S.C. — In November, massive flooding caused significant issues for residents in both Orangeburg and Calhoun counties. One of the most affected areas, Caw Caw Highway in Calhoun County, remains closed, creating ongoing challenges for first responders.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has completed damage assessments and is now accepting highway repair bids. Once a contract is awarded, the project is expected to be completed in 90 days.
The closure of Caw Caw Highway has forced Calhoun County’s Emergency Medical Services to find alternative routes to respond to calls. EMS Director Crystal Youmans explained the difficulties this has caused.
“When we try to respond on the other side of the damaged road we are not able to get across as we normally would, so we’re having to take back roads and secondary roads to get to where we have to go for responses, which delays our response times so making life saving harder for us,” Youmans said.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Youmans said that EMS is committed to serving the community.
“We are working really hard to get there as fast as we possibly can,” Youmans said. “We have to take different ways and methods, but we are going to get there to you as fast as we absolutely can.”
SCDOT said that bids for the repairs are due Friday.