Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Downtown Charleston, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A persistent flood in the Kings Plaza parking lot in Charleston has hindered access to Food Lion and Family Dollar for several weeks.

After local shoppers complained, Nalley Commercial Projects hired Pro Lateral Cleaning Services to address the issue. Crews cleared debris, including roots and sand, from the storm drains and pumped out standing water to restore accessibility.

“Just frustrated and trying to get in and out and, like, it’s a complete mess. Nowhere to really park,” said Jack Hoover, a shopper who frequents Food Lion.

“The other day I had to park in the fire zone and used it to, like, bump in because it was to the all the parking spots,” Hoover explained.

Shoppers trying to reach the Food Lion and Family Dollar in Kings Plaza faced an unexpected obstacle.

Flooding covered most of the parking lot. Food Lion employees say it started about two weeks ago. While they’re used to flooding, it’s lingered longer than usual.

“It’s an inconvenience to the community in the area. Kind of hard to have that space limited.” Said Ashton Gonzalez, another Food Lion shopper.

The city of Charleston says the lot is privately owned and maintained, so it can’t address issues that might be contributing to the flooding on that private property. They did, however, clean storm drains surrounding the property.

On Friday, Nalley Commercial Projects, the Property Management Company, contacted Pro Lateral Cleaning Services to fix this issue. Crews tell News 2 the problem came from roots and sand in the storm drain.

“We recommend, especially in parking lots, big parking lots, getting your storm drain checked and at least cleaned. At least once a year before storm season to help prevent this from happening,” said Andrew Hotchkiss, the Field Operations Manager of Pro Lateral Cleaning Services.

Crews worked all day to clear debris from the drains and pump out the water. Customers hope the maintenance will prevent future flooding.

News 2 reached out to Nalley Commercial Projects, which owns the property, and is awaiting a response. Pro-Lateral Cleaning also told News 2 they plan to return for a more in-depth look at how it can be prevented in the future.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Charleston Mayor William Cogswell has activated the city’s Active Flood Mitigation Plan as heavy rain from Hurricane Isaias and a king tide cycle raise the risk of flooding this weekend throughout the Lowcountry.

Isaias is expected to track west of the Charleston area, but the National Weather Service forecasts hazardous conditions in the Lowcountry beginning Friday.

The primary period of concern is Friday night through Sunday morning, with the heaviest rain possible Saturday afternoon and evening.

The city expects 3 to 4 inches of rain, with higher amounts possible in some areas.

King tides Saturday and Sunday could worsen flooding.

Tides in Charleston Harbor are forecast to peak near 7.7 feet Saturday morning and remain elevated Saturday evening. Gusty winds, isolated tornadoes and dangerous rip currents are also possible.

“Flooding is one of the biggest challenges this city faces, and we are not waiting for the water to show up before we act,” Cogswell said. “Our crews have been clearing drains since last weekend, pumps are going in, and we are lowering the lakes to make room for the rain. I am asking residents to do their part too. Secure your yard, keep your storm drain clear, and stay off flooded roads.”

Under the Active Flood Mitigation Plan, the city has taken the following steps:

• Stormwater crews have been clearing storm drains and debris since Sunday’s flooding, with contracted vacuum trucks joining Friday.

• Mobile pumps are fueled and will be activated Friday morning. Additional pumps arrive Friday for Morrison Drive and Limehouse Street, and the Huger and Lockwood pumps will run through the weekend.

• Colonial Lake and Lake Dotterer will be lowered Friday ahead of the rain.

• Barricades are staged throughout the city.

• The Charleston Fire Department will staff two high-water vehicles, and Emergency Management will monitor conditions throughout the weekend.

• Code enforcement officers are patrolling downtown to keep debris out of storm drains, and inspectors are contacting contractors to secure active worksites.

• Street sweepers, cleanup crews, and trash crews are on standby for debris removal.

• Five city parking garages will be free for city residents to move vehicles out of flood-prone areas. Residents may enter after 6:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, and must exit before 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 11. The garages are Aquarium (24 Calhoun St.), Visitors Center (63 Mary St.), Queen Street (83 Queen St.), East Bay/Prioleau (25 Prioleau St.), and Charleston Tech Center (4 Conroy St.).

To use storm parking, pull a ticket at the entrance and keep it.

At exit, insert the ticket and scan the city’s storm parking QR code to leave free of charge.

Residents who lose their ticket or do not have the QR code can press the help button on the exit machine, say they were there for storm parking, and give their name and address.

Vehicles left in a garage after 4:00 p.m. Sunday may be charged for the additional time.

The Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square is canceled for Saturday.

Residents are asked to secure loose items and yard debris, keep storm drains near their homes clear, and never drive through a flooded road.

The city’s WaterWise site brings the latest storm information and flood tools together in one place.

It includes TIDEeye for real-time street closures and storm preparedness resources.

To report flooding or ask a non-emergency question, residents should contact the Citizens Services Desk at 843-724-7311 or citizenservices@charleston-sc.gov.

The city will share its next update Friday morning.

Updates will be posted to https://www.charleston-sc.gov/3144/WaterWise and on the city’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Copyright 2026 WCSC. All rights reserved.

At the time of the Civil War, South Carolina was known for its rice. Today, if you drive through the Palmetto State's Lowcountry, you'll see the remnants of former rice plantations all over. These lands are haunting echoes of the state's complicated past, when its profits were built on the backs of enslaved West African people who brought their knowledge of rice cultivation to the colony. Just 30 minutes from downtown Charleston, you'll find the Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area, a 19th-century rice plantation that's now a wetlands oasis.

This plantation was owned by the Sandford family and was in operation in the 1800s. Canals transferred water from a freshwater reserve downstream to cultivate rice. Now, Dungannon is a sprawling, quiet nature preserve of over 600 acres whose wetlands are nesting grounds for endangered wood storks. Comprised of upland forests and swamps, this preserve is officially one of the Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas in South Carolina, ideal for bird-watchers looking for osprey, great egrets, and great blue herons.

It's not just birds either, as other wildlife can include alligators, deer, and snakes. An easy trail takes you through this preserve, where bald cypresses shelter the nests of wood storks. These birds once mostly populated Florida, but they have moved to South Carolina and Georgia as a result of Florida's diminishing wetlands. This mix of history and nature makes the Dungannon Plantation a great and convenient day trip for anyone looking to take a peaceful break from the unique Southern charm of Charleston.

What to expect with a visit to the Dungannon Plantation

The Dungannon Plantation has an out-and-back 5-mile trail, which includes a boardwalk where you can observe the wood storks' nesting area. Depending on the water levels, they typically nest from April through June. Note that the boardwalk and nesting area may be closed off from February through September to not disturb them. If you're wondering what a wood stork looks like, just keep an eye out for the white 3-foot-tall stork with a wrinkly neck (they're not into anti-wrinkle serums, okay?) and black-lined wings that stretch out to about 5 feet.

Some benches line the trail, so you can enjoy a meditative moment in this lush preserve with mossy oaks, tall cypresses, and algae-covered waters. The trail takes you through wetlands and forests, where you'll find abandoned cars, remnants of old moonshine stills, and the 19th-century tombstone of Matthew Sandford. If you want to extend your hike, you can veer off onto a secondary trail or dirt road, although their conditions may vary. The Dungannon Plantation is free to visit and is open from dawn to dusk. There are no facilities, so be prepared to leave no trace.

South Carolina has some fantastic birding spots, and Dungannon Plantation can be counted among them. Binoculars or a good camera are recommended to catch sight of the preserve's many species of birds. Dogs are welcome on-leash, but note that there may be dogs from neighboring properties loose on the trail. Insect repellent is highly recommended as well, especially if you've got those sweet pheromones. During deer hunting season in the fall and winter, be sure to wear the bright colors that could save your life.