TOW #5-South Carolina flooding: Dams breached, more trouble ahead

In the last week, the Carolina’s have been hit hard with major floods. Holly Yan, a reporter, writer and editor that specializes in breaking news, and Ray Sanchez, posted an article in CNN on the 6^th informing American citizens about the destruction that occurred as a result of this flood. The excessive water is due to dams breaking, a circumstance that could cost “billions of dollars in damage.” The authors use statistics and pathos to inform American citizens of the shocking flooding that is still occurring in South Carolina so that the public feels sympathy for the state’s citizens.

The authors include a considerable amount of statistics that provide the reader with enough information to understand how traumatizing this flood is for South Carolinian’s. Since Saturday, “11 dams have failed in South Carolina” which accounts for the primary reason the flooding has become such a concern. “So far, at least 17 people have died in weather-related incidents” which proves that the flooding is not just ‘a little water.’ This is also effecting the South Carolinian’s housing, as it is recited that, “there had been 175 water rescues so far in South Carolina, and more than 800 people were temporarily housed in shelters.” By providing these statistics that cannot be refuted, it is evident that this is a traumatic flood. These solid facts urge Americans to feel empathy for these people.  Additionally, these statistics appeal to the reader’s emotions. The title itself, “Dams breached, more trouble ahead,” is enough information to boost the reader’s emotions and provide them with immediate evidence that leads to the sympathetic feeling. The overall message of the article is to inform the rest of the country of the life-threatening floods, and by using statistics and appealing to pathos, the author’s successfully reached their goal.