- Like many other locations in downtown Charleston, the parking lot belonging to the South Carolina Port Authority flooded during the nor’easter that brought heavy rain, significant flooding and record high tide levels on Sunday.
- Many cruise ship passengers returned in vehicles that were flooded and would not start.
- It took many of the passengers hours to get home, and many are still dealing with insurance companies.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Some cruise ship passengers in Charleston, S.C. returned home from their vacation with cars that were destroyed by flooding.
Stephanie Royal and her husband traveled to Charleston from North Carolina for a weekend cruise to the Bahamas on Carnival Sunshine. Guests returned to Charleston on Monday and were greeted with an unexpected discovery.
“When we got to the parking lot, they basically told us that no one’s cars were going to start. That they were flooded,” Royal said.
Like many other locations in downtown Charleston, the parking lot belonging to the South Carolina Port Authority flooded during the nor’easter that brought heavy rain, significant flooding and record high tide levels on Sunday.
Royal said passengers were stranded in the parking lot for hours trying to figure out what to do next because their cars were also flooded.
“There were two people in the parking lot going around trying to start cars, but the only ones that started were the older models,” Royal explained.
Between carpooling, a rental car and a tow truck, Royal said it cost her an extra $700 to get home. The couple made it back to North Carolina, but their car remained in Charleston.
“Coming back from vacation to find your car totaled, you know, made for a pretty rough trip. Because right now, not only us, but several of these people that were involved, their cars have been destroyed,” Royal said.
A spokesperson for the South Carolina Port Authority released a statement detailing its crews’ alleged efforts to help affected drivers.
“The recent record high tide and unprecedented flooding that occurred in downtown Charleston resulted in some cruise passenger vehicles being affected,” the statement said. “The South Carolina Ports team works closely with passengers to provide assistance from the moment they arrive until the last passenger leaves the terminal. Port Police ensure that passengers have the necessary reports to document damage for their insurance companies. Passengers were not charged for additional days to use the car park and could leave their vehicles for as long as needed. Port staff worked around the clock to call towing companies on behalf of passengers, assist with jumping vehicles and pumping out water, and help them find transportation to area hotels. While SC Ports accepts no responsibility for vehicles or personal property left in passenger parking areas, we are committed to continuing to support our valued cruise customers.”
A Carnival Cruise Line representative also said in a statement that its employees tried to provide assistance to customers, but noted that the cruise line does not own the lot.
“We regret that some of our guests’ vehicles parked in the garage were affected by the recent storm. We have notified staff that people are unhappy and suggest you contact the parking authorities. We assisted in some ways when we could, such as helping guests contact their insurance providers, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t our facility.”
Royal said she wishes the situation had been handled differently.
“Not so much financially, but it would be nice to have that transportation to the airport or somewhere we could get extra help like a rental car or even a flight home,” she suggested.
According to Royal, she is still waiting to hear from her insurance company about paying out on her totaled car.
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