On the morning of June 17, 2025, a North Charleston roadway between Dorchester Road and Lawyers Lane was suddenly closed due to a Sanitary Sewer Force Main Break. The incident, reported in Charleston County, has caused traffic delays, raised safety concerns, and led to a full investigation into the causes and accountability.
This blog breaks down the full situation, how it unfolded, how it affected the public, and what legal support is available to affected businesses and residents in Charleston County.
1. Timeline and Immediate Response
Emergency crews from the Charleston Fire Department and utility teams were quickly on the scene. Water from the Sanitary Sewer Force Main Break began flowing beneath the street surface early in the morning, compromising the North Charleston roadway’s structural integrity.
Charleston Water System, along with local law enforcement, coordinated with Dominion Energy to shut off utilities and assess the extent of the underground damage.
2. Area Affected and Detours
The affected portion of the North Charleston roadway is a critical commuter corridor. The road closure led to extensive detours via Cheatham Street and Athletic Drive.
Key impacts included:
- Charleston Harbor access delays
- Traffic buildup near Charleston Nine Memorial Park
- Disruption of routes used during the Charleston 9 commemorative events
- Delayed access for fire crews, including those from the Charleston Fire Department
3. Public Services Affected
Public utilities saw widespread impact due to the proximity of power and water lines. Dominion Energy confirmed temporary outages to ensure repair work could proceed safely. Residents reported water pressure loss in several neighborhoods surrounding Charleston County.
4. Emergency Crew Actions
The Charleston Fire Department cordoned off the hazardous area and remained on-site to oversee safety. This event was particularly sensitive given the historical significance of the Charleston Nine, the heroic firefighters commemorated every year at Charleston Nine Memorial Park.
5. Community Impact
Charleston County residents and businesses were deeply affected:
- Delayed shipping operations in the Charleston Harbor zone
- Loss of business for stores lining the closed North Charleston roadway
- Disruption during the lead-up to memorial events honoring the Charleston 9
- Inaccessibility to Charleston’s municipal sites and emergency routes
6. Comparative Infrastructure Failures
Such Sanitary Sewer Force Main Break events have occurred before in Charleston County, often tied to aging infrastructure. The city has been criticized for slow updates despite repeated warnings from experts. This latest North Charleston roadway closure has reignited calls for stronger oversight and reinvestment into core utilities.
7. Legal Perspective
From a legal standpoint, these types of incidents fall under potential municipal negligence if preventive measures were not in place.
You may have a legal case if:
- Your business suffered financial losses
- Property was damaged due to flooding or erosion
- Emergency services were delayed, risking personal injury
- Your event was canceled or impacted due to road inaccessibility
8. Preventive Measures Going Forward
Several steps must be taken by the city and utility providers to avoid future events like the Sanitary Sewer Force Main Break:
- Smart infrastructure monitoring to avoid risk in high-traffic zones like Charleston Harbor
- Improved emergency alert systems in Charleston County
- Coordination between utilities like Dominion Energy and municipal roadworks
- Faster updates to aging sewer and stormwater systems, especially around landmarks like the Charleston Nine Memorial Park
9. Community Voice and Memorial Importance
It’s essential to highlight the significance of this disruption occurring so close to Charleston Nine Memorial Park. Every year, events are held to remember the bravery of the Charleston 9, members of the Charleston Fire Department who lost their lives in 2007. The road closure sparked concern among families and organizers about accessibility during this time of remembrance.
About Ted Law Firm
Ted Law Firm understands how infrastructure failures like this can cause major personal, commercial, and emotional loss. We’ve worked with numerous clients throughout Charleston County, holding agencies and utility providers accountable when avoidable events like sewer and water main breaks disrupt daily life.We proudly serve injury victims in Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta and Orangeburg. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s reckless or criminal behavior, our experienced attorneys are here to help you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
