Richland County plumbing and water damage help
Weather alerts, water utilities, permits and plumbers for Richland County, SC (county seat: Columbia).
What weather threatens plumbing in Richland County?
Short answer: In the last 12 months, the National Weather Service issued 14 freeze or cold, 41 flood, 4 winter storm and 0 tropical alerts covering Richland County, as of October 30, 2026.
Richland County holds Columbia, the nearest large city to Newberry. During the December 2022 Christmas freeze, Columbia tied its record low of 12°F on December 24 and set a record for the coldest Christmas Eve high (28°F), and Columbia Fire answered more than 350 weather-related calls over the holiday weekend as pipes burst in homes and businesses.
Weather alerts for Richland County
No active weather alerts for the area right now. Water and weather center
Recent flood, freeze and tropical alerts in Richland County
National Weather Service flood, freeze, winter and tropical alerts covering Richland County, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of NWS products.
| Issued | Alert | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2026 | Flood Warning | NWS text (CAE) |
| Oct 12, 2026 | Flood Warning | NWS text (CAE) |
| Oct 11, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Sep 22, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Sep 11, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Flash Flood Warning | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Flash Flood Warning | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Flash Flood Warning | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Flood Advisory | NWS text (CAE) |
Who to contact in Richland County
- Water and sewer: your water provider is on your water bill. Homes on wells and septic: see wells and septic.
- Forecast office: NWS Columbia, SC.
- Permits: water heater replacements, re-pipes and sewer line work usually need a plumbing permit. Start at the Richland County government website.
- Licenses: In South Carolina, residential plumbing work over $500 requires a license from the Residential Builders Commission at the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). Commercial plumbing work over $10,000 is licensed by the Contractor's Licensing Board. Check either on the LLR license lookup before you hire. License lookup.
- Insurance questions: South Carolina Department of Insurance, 803-737-6160.
Plumbers based in Richland County
Listings are businesses with an office in or near Richland County. Many others serve the whole area; see the full directory.
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Common questions in Richland County
Does Richland County get freeze warnings?
In the last 12 months the National Weather Service issued 14 freeze, frost or cold alerts covering Richland County (as of October 30, 2026). Even a few hard freezes a year can split pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls. Freeze prep.
How often does Richland County get flood alerts?
41 flood watch, warning or advisory alerts in the last 12 months. Homeowners policies do not cover flood. Flood vs water damage.
Who do I call about a water main break or boil-water notice in Richland County?
Your water utility, shown on your water bill. What to do during a boil-water notice.
How do I check a plumber working in Richland County?
In South Carolina, residential plumbing work over $500 requires a license from the Residential Builders Commission at the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). Commercial plumbing work over $10,000 is licensed by the Contractor's Licensing Board. Check either on the LLR license lookup before you hire. License lookup.