COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The SC Department of Transportation is already busy making sure our roadways stay clear of flooding and debris. Hannah Robinson with SCDOT says workers have been in “all hands on deck mode” since Monday, preparing for Hurricane Helene. “Our crews have been working on clearing drainage ditches, tree trimming, making sure all the equipment we use to clean up after and during a storm is working and ready to go,” she says. That includes working on areas like Blossom Street, where crews and police officers were already tending to a major flooded area Thursday afternoon. Robinson says they continue to encourage people to never drive through standing water. And to always turn around, don’t drown. “You never know how deep standing water is, until you’re in it. And at that point, you could be sliding off the roadway. We never want anybody to be in a position where they have to be rescued. So if you do encounter a road that is not barricaded or closed, and there’s standing water, don’t drive through it,” she says. SCDOT encourages everyone to stay inside their homes if possible, but if you must drive, Robinson says they offer ways you can more safely plan your route ahead of time. “We have two resources on our website that are super helpful. Our “501 SC” website will allow you to look at real time roadway conditions on our interstates and we also have our “Roadways Conditions” page that will show you any roads in your area that are closed due to flooding debris in the roadway, that’ll keep you safe from going down the wrong roads or having to detour a long way,” Robinson says. Even when the storm moves on, their crews don’t stop. “Pay attention when you’re driving around work zones and our crews are out there. We want to make sure that you go home at the end of the day, and that they go home at the end of the day,” she says. Should you have an issue on any state-maintained roadway, SCDOT encourages anyone to call them directly at 855-467-2368. Categories: Local News, News Tags: Hannah Robinson, Hurricane Helene, SCDOT