Flood Watch

The live gauge readings at the top of this page are updated every 20 minutes directly from USGS sensors. When all three gauges show Normal, there is no active flood threat heading toward Hardeeville. The summary banner reflects current conditions at a glance. If any gauge is elevated, the banner will say so and describe the downstream impact.

A flood event at Burton's Ferry, roughly 70 miles upstream, takes approximately four to five days to reach Hardeeville. The Clyo station, about 30 miles upstream, provides a one-to-two-day warning window. Watching these gauges rise after heavy rainfall in the Augusta or upper Savannah basin gives residents days of advance notice before water reaches Jasper County -- which is exactly why this tool tracks all three stations together.

The most significant recorded flood at the Hardeeville gauge occurred in February 1998, when river height peaked at 14.18 feet -- close to the historical record for the station. That event followed prolonged heavy rainfall across the upper Savannah River basin. More recent moderate events have pushed the local gauge above 10 feet, affecting low-lying areas along the river corridor west of I-95.

Significant portions of western Hardeeville and unincorporated Jasper County along the Savannah River corridor are designated FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Zone AE properties carry mandatory flood insurance requirements under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Use the HardeevilleUpdate property map to look up the FEMA flood zone designation for any specific address inside Hardeeville city limits. The map also shows zoning, school districts, and hurricane evacuation zones.

The Hardeeville gauge is in a tidal zone where ocean tides influence daily readings, so its Normal range spans a wider band than a typical freshwater gauge. Its flood stage thresholds are set by the National Weather Service based on specific local impact points -- roads, structures, and low-lying areas near the river corridor -- rather than the standard flood stage classifications used at Clyo and Burton's Ferry upstream.

Data comes directly from the USGS National Water Information System with no intermediary and no additional delay beyond the sensor's own 15-minute reporting interval. This page refreshes automatically every 20 minutes. Readings are flagged as provisional by USGS until a technician reviews them, which is standard practice and does not meaningfully affect accuracy for situational awareness.

Official flood warnings and advisories are issued by the National Weather Service Charleston. NOAA river forecasts specific to the Hardeeville gauge are at water.noaa.gov. For emergency phone alerts, sign up for Code Red through SC Emergency Management. This page is a monitoring tool, not an official warning system.