‘No wake’ law would make it illegal to operate cars, boats on flooded streets

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – People who decide to travel through the flooded downtown streets could soon face fines under a new city ordinance.
City councilmembers will discuss on Tuesday whether it should be unlawful to use vehicles or boats on streets, roads, highways, bridges or alleys flooded within city limits.
“It’s long overdue. We’re increasingly having to live with flooding. If we live with flooding, we need to be respectful. I get people may be in a hurry but you need to slow down. It’s incredibly dangerous to drive through flooded waters, and when you go through at high speeds, you create a wake that could be very damaging to your neighbor’s property,” Mayor William Cogswell says.
The ordinance comes after leaders noticed the issue becoming more common during recent storms.
This includes anyone who drives through those areas at more than 5 mph, in a way that creates wakes or waves that damage property or in a way that pushes water beyond the edge of a streetside.
The law would also apply to those who ignore road closure barricades or signs.
“When roads are flooded, don’t go down them, don’t go around a barrier, don’t speed. Don’t do all the things that create a secondary and continuing stall,” District Eight Councilman Mike Seekings says.
El Jefe owner Roy Neal operates on King Street and does not see flood damage often, but he does understand the risks taken when setting up shop in the Holy City.
“It’s just one of the factors you have to think about when you’re doing business downtown,” Neal says. “If you have to enact a law to tell people not to drive through waters, it’s going to save lives and businesses and damages.”
People who violate the ordinance would face fines, but prices have not been decided yet.
In discussions on Tuesday, council members mentioned the ordinance might need stronger methods than simple enforcement to work. Others say it could cause issues for homeowners who live in areas where most surrounding roads flood.
Emergency vehicles operating during flood events would be an exception to the rule.
“When it’s in place, we’ll put plenty of information out there. We’ve just requisitioned a whole bunch more barricades, so it’ll be easier to put the barricades out,” Seekings says. “If you’re a first responder and they have multiple calls, every single one of them is a potentially dangerous situation for them. Don’t put them or yourself there.”
The ordinance will need to go through three readings in front of the council starting in August.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.