CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- A plan intended to deter people from traveling through flooded roadways is moving forward in the City of Charleston.
The city council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday that makes it unlawful to drive or boat through flooded areas faster than 5 mph or in a manner that causes waves, wakes, or damage.
The rule would apply to motor vehicles, boats, and watercraft on any street, road, highway, bridge, or alley that is flooded or inundated with more than six inches of water.
It would not apply to emergency vehicles that are engaged in emergency operations.
“What we’ve brought forward is an ordinance to basically tell people if a road is impassible, if a road is flooded, don’t drive down it because not only are you endangering yourself, you’re creating problems for people who live in that area, who work in that area,” Councilman Mike Seekings told News 2 in July. “Every time you drive down a flooded street, you create a new mini storm. You create a wake, a wave. Those are unacceptable things during times of storms.”