Folly Beach has one road in and out, and it’s becoming more vulnerable every year.
The causeway (Folly Road over the marsh) already floods during King Tides and heavy rains. In 2022 alone, flood levels triggered sensors on the Folly River bridge three times in just 90 days. By 2050, those same water levels are projected to be exceeded over 120 times a year, making near-weekly flooding the new norm.
That’s not just inconvenient. It’s dangerous. This is not about fear, it’s about readiness. With strong local leadership, clear priorities, and the backing of our community, we can tackle today’s challenges while preparing Folly Beach to thrive in the years ahead.
When the causeway floods:
- Tourism slows down, hurting local businesses that rely on steady visitor access.
- Residents get trapped, unable to leave the island for work, appointments, or school.
- Emergency vehicles may be delayed, putting lives at risk when minutes matter most.
This isn’t a distant problem; it’s already happening, and it will worsen as sea levels continue to rise.
That’s why we need to plan to proactively raise and protect the causeway. While it falls under SCDOT jurisdiction, local leadership can push for smart, grant-funded solutions before a major storm or high tide makes the decision for us.
A Possible Path Forward
Folly 2050 has already identified protecting the causeway as a critical long-term need. In fact, during this year’s council planning session, I made sure that it was set as a strategic priority. The first action step is to get quotes for a cost and design study to be included in next year’s budget.
This study would give us the background we need, detailing the timeline and severity of expected impacts. In addition, this will provide the City with the engineering concepts needed to establish a realistic price tag. That price tag is what we can then use to apply for state and federal grants.
From there, the goal would be to work the project into county and regional transportation plans, hazard mitigation strategies, and other long-term planning documents. The more these protections are duplicated across area plans, the stronger our chances of securing outside funding.
This is a huge project, but planning must start immediately so that we can meet the challenge.
As your mayor, I will be committed to solving the day-to-day challenges, while also planning for the bigger threats we face. Rising seas and frequent flooding demand more than quick fixes. I will work proactively to leverage the Folly 2050 Plan, secure outside funding, and push for long-term infrastructure solutions like protecting the causeway, ensuring Folly Beach stays safe, accessible, and resilient for generations to come.
For more information, please read the Folly 2050: Planning for Water Guide
