Flood Damage to Cypress Gardens Estimated to be Around $10 million

WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 – Charleston News, Sports, Weather

MONCKS CORNER, S.C.–Due to the damage caused by South Carolina’s historic flood, Cypress Gardens will be closed indefinitely for repairs. Employees say the damage has also forced them to cancel this year’s Halloween in the Swamp.

“Everyone that has pre-purchased tickets will receive a refund. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused,” Cypress Gardens reps wrote on their official Facebook page. “We have a lot of repairs to do and look forward to opening back up as soon as possible.”

According to Berkeley County Deputy Supervisor Tim Callanan, Dean Hall, the main reception site at Cypress Gardens, was damaged last week, as well as eleven other buildings in the park.

“It’s heartbreaking because over the last few years we’ve really put a lot of effort into getting this place up and running,” Callanan told ABC News 4.

Officials estimate the waters rose from two to five feet and just sat for two days. Small docks were also damaged and falling into swamp. Several of the boats were also filled with water from the storm.

Berkeley County Supervisor Bill Peagler recently told Live 5 News that he is hoping money from FEMA, insurance money and private donations will help pay for the repairs. Officials says structural and revenue losses are estimated to be around $10 million.

“We don’t want to use the public’s money for this, but we may have to,” Peagler said.

Cypress Gardens is also a popular wedding destination, with more than 100 weddings book every year at the park. Due to the flood, however, about 15 had to be recently cancelled.

To learn more about Cypress Gardens, click here.