During this past week, South Carolina residents have dealt with massive flooding with Hurricane Joaquin dumping more than 24 inches of rain in some areas of the state.

Luckily for the entire East Coast, the Category 4 hurricane drifted east out to sea, but still didn’t spare the coastline with unbelievable amounts of rain. The storm is being called a 1,000-year rain, which means that there is a 1 in a 1,000 chance of observing the rainfall totals that have been recorded in parts of South Carolina.

Mississippians can sympathize with South Carolina regarding damage from hurricanes. Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast not only with wind, but also a storm surge of epic proportion.

The flooding is so bad in areas of South Carolina that 264 roads and 198 bridges are closed. The death toll now stands at 17 and the damage from the flooding will probably exceed $1 billion in damage. President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for areas of the state, which will allow federal aid to help in recovery efforts.

Columbia, South Carolina, home of the University of South Carolina, has canceled classes for the rest of the week as the campus lost water service. Flooding in areas of Columbia has forced thousands to evacuate their residences.

The flooding has been so bad that USC has moved its home football game against Louisiana State University to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. South Carolina will still be the home team and for the first time in history, LSU will be on the visitor’s side in its own stadium.

In a class act by LSU, all ticket sales after expenses will be donated to a flood relief fund by the LSU athletic department. Even the LSU band is showing support by learning the South Carolina Alma matter fight song that will be played during the pre-game ceremony.

The Ole Miss athletics department also is showing its support for the residents who have been misplaced by the flooding. This past Friday, the school took in donations at the Ole Miss softball complex and at the Ole Miss volleyball game for flood victims.

Starting today from 1-5 p.m.  donations will be accepted at Walmart and then again at 7 p.m. at the Ole Miss soccer stadium.

Donation items that are needed included diapers (adult and children), blankets, formula, bottles, nonperishable food, clothing, diaper wipes and paper supplies (plates, bowls, cups, towels, toilet paper and plastic flatware.)

Show your support for residents of South Carolina by making an effort to donate today.