Roads reopen after flooding, outages in West Ashley, James Island

Roads have reopened after 3 to 5 inches of overnight rainfall caused havoc on Charleston-area roads, closing one main thoroughfare in West Ashley and causing outages to traffic lights.

The exit off westbound I-526 between Sam Rittenberg Boulevard and Savannah Highway reopened around 11 a.m. after earlier flooding, according to Charles Francis, spokesman for the Charleston Police Department.

Northbound Sam Rittenberg Boulevard in West Ashley between Interstate 526 and Savannah Highway also has reopened after being blocked by standing water and a flooded vehicle.

Rainfall has ended, and standing water has receded, but more storminess is expected later today, meteorologists warned.

Other weather-related traffic problems in the area:

•A tree fell and blocked traffic at Ashley Town Center Drive and Savage Road in West Ashley, but the road has since been reopened.

•The intersection of Folly Road and Camp Road on James Island has reopened after earlier flooding.

At 11 a.m., fewer than 100 customers were without power in Charleston County, according to S.C. Electric and Gas. But traffic lights were flashing yellow at these intersections:

•Courtenay Drive and Bee Street in downtown Charleston

•Courtenay Drive and Cannon Street in downtown Charleston

•Sam Rittenberg Boulevard and Ashley Hall Road in West Ashley

•Folly Road and Albemarle Road in West Ashley

•Ashley River Road and Parsonage Road in West Ashley

•Savannah Highway and Dupont Road in West Ashley

•Paul Cantrell Boulevard and I-526

•Riverland Drive and Maybank Highway on James Island

Three to 5 inches of rain fell across parts of West Ashley, James Island and Johns Island between midnight and 5 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service said in a statement that the flooding appeared to be most severe near I-526 and Savannah Highway.

Rainfall in central James Island was measured at 3.78 inches.

More showers and thunderstorms will be possible later today, mainly after 10 a.m. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 83 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Reach Andrew Knapp at 937-5414 or twitter.com/offlede.