Flooding from Tropical Storm Debby

I had to travel down to Walterboro today from Charleston, and my route took me down Highway 17A South through Ridgeville. As I neared the bridge over the Edisto River, I suddenly noticed water, deep water on either side of the road. It was unbelievable, and I was so broken hearted for the folks who live in these houses, for the mess, for the expense, for the total upheaval this event must represent in their lives. This is days after the storm had passed. Fortunately the Edisto River floodwaters are receding after having reached record breaking levels of 17 feet. These images hardly do justice to the actual devastation.

Birds Eye View of Southport, NC

When I fly for aerial images in Charleston, I am spoiled with being able to shoot out of a helicopter, without doors, which affords the best and widest possible viewing area. When I travel to smaller towns, helicopters are rarely available (especially at an affordable rental rate) so I made do with the next best thing, a Cessna 172 high wing plane. This is a challenge because you are constantly trying to avoid including part of the wing strut in the image. Also I find the vibration more excessive, which results in a higher percentage of blurry images. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful evening, and I was satisfied with my final collection. Enjoy the views of the area around Southport, North Carolina, definitely an area to add to your travel bucket list.

Shrimp trawlers and seafood outlets in the Lockwoods Folly River, Varnamtown, NC
Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean, Holden Beach, NC
Old Baldy Lighthouse, Bald Head Island, NC
Harbor and Waterfront, Southport, NC