South Carolinians try to salvage their lives from record floods
ANDREWS, S.C. -- The Carolinas are about to get the last thing they need: more rain.
The worst flooding there on record is already blamed for at least 19 deaths; 372 roads and bridges are closed; 17 dams have failed.
And the waters are still rising -- filling not just basements, but attics.
In Andrews, South Carolina, a town about 100 miles southeast of Columbia, all you can see are the rooftops of two-story homes.
The local Shriners Club is barely visible. A home which was on stilts is now at risk of floating away from its foundation.
Nearly four feet of water has ruined the home of 72-year-old Shelvia Poston.
"I've lost everything that I've worked 50 years for," Poston told CBS News.
Her house is not in a flood zone so, like most people in this area, she doesn't have flood insurance.
"Well, I'll have to use my life savings to rebuild our house," Poston said.
CBS News boated through the devastation with Andrews Police Chief Kaynnera Capers and State Senator Ronnie Sabb. We floated down local Highway 41, which is now under 16 feet of water. At times we had to duck under power lines.
"There is such danger that still lurks, and I just hope folks will just continue to stay on guard and and be mindful we're not out of the woods yet," Sabb said.
Many people have already fled town. Rescuers are now trying to help animals that were left behind.
And as the water rises, Andrews residents are still trying to save what they can -- which bring us back to Shelvia Poston, who's trying to focus on the positive.
"Having to start over is gonna be hard," she said. "But we're alive, so we thank God for that."
There's a 90 percent chance of rain in the area Saturday. The state's governor says the flooding could continue for another 10 days.