News and Announcements

The South Carolina Disaster Recovery Office (SCDRO) will host a mobile intake site at the James R. Frazier Center (1370 Bucksport Rd, Bucksport, SC 29527) as part of the Hurricane Florence Recovery Project.

Representatives will be onsite at the James R. Frazier Community Center on March 29, March 31, April 6 and April 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SCDRO is accepting online applications from citizens in Horry County with remaining Hurricane Florence damage. Applications can be filled out here, or applicants can call (844) 410-8560 with questions and to schedule an appointment for intake. Please see the flyers below for more information.

NOTE: this intake is separate from the Socastee buyout program, please contact SCDRO for more information.

Based on the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service, Horry County Government offices and facilities will close at 2 p.m. today, March 18, 2021, due to the potential threat of severe weather.

All Horry County Solid Waste Authority recycling and convenience centers will also close at 2 p.m. today.

Recreation events scheduled at county recreation centers and fields will also be cancelled tonight.

The Board of Fee Appeals meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. today is cancelled.

Myrtle Beach International Airport remains open but passengers should check the status of their flights with their airlines.

Public safety departments will continue to provide critical services.

Horry County Government asks everyone to remain weather aware and heed any emergency weather alerts. For more information, follow Horry County Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter.

Horry County received assurances from SCDHEC that Horry County Fire Rescue is in good standing in the COVID-19 vaccination program and SCDHEC confirmed that vaccine inventory requests for the next delivery cycle could be fulfilled. As directed by SCDHEC, we opened up for public appointments using the VAMS appointment scheduling system. As a result, approximately 800 individuals meeting the Phase 1A and 1B criteria have signed up through the VAMS appointment scheduling system for first dose vaccines. 

Yesterday night, a representative of SCDHEC denied that the order for additional first doses would be placed citing “miscommunication” between SCDHEC officials. Despite indicating their commitment to making sure everyone who received a first dose would receive a second dose in future shipments, Horry County Fire Rescue has not received a shipment of vaccine from SCDHEC since February 12, 2021. 

Horry County Fire Rescue has reserved enough vaccines to administer to those that have signed up. If you are already scheduled to receive your vaccine with Horry County, you should still come to your scheduled appointment. We are also ensuring that everyone who has received a first dose with Horry County will be able to receive their second dose with us. At this point, the County has suspended appointments through the VAMS appointment scheduling system, and we do not anticipate any further doses from SCDHEC. First dose appointments with our facility will conclude on April 6, 2021 and after all of the second dose appointments have been honored, we will conclude our vaccination program.  

We remain frustrated by the lack of ability from SCDHEC to consistently communicate with vaccine providers in the state. We are not alone, and we find it necessary to speak out. We have endeavored to work cooperatively with SCDHEC, but have been thwarted at every turn. 

We remain committed to seeing that every person in Horry County that wishes to receive a shot is able to do so. We appreciate the men and women of Horry County Fire Rescue that stepped up to help their community in a time of need and have done a wonderful job administering the vaccine to first responders and the most vulnerable members of our community.

Today, the South Carolina Disaster Recover Office SCDRO announced the approval of CDBG-mitigation funding for Horry County that will help buyout properties from flood victims in the Socastee area of Horry County. SCDRO approved $13 million in buyout funding to purchase approximately 60 homes.

In addition, this funding will cover two major mitigation projects in the Bucksport area. This community expressed interest in solutions that would allow them to stay in their homes, and we determined there were some viable projects as a part of the County’s resiliency planning process. Those projects were submitted in this application for funding, and approved.

County Councilmember Cam Crawford said, “I am very encouraged by today’s announcement. I believe this will help provide significant relief to vulnerable members of our community, including the residents of Socastee.”

“We are very thankful that the state is providing Horry County with the funds to complete this critical piece of flood protection for our community,” said Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner. “I also want to thank our local delegation, the Governor, and my fellow county council members for their hard work and advocacy that helped bring us to this moment.”

Horry County submitted an application for the buyout program in December 2020 and has recently learned that a portion of that proposal has been approved through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program. Horry County has been waiting for this program along with our residents for a number of years and we are prepared to expedite the program as quickly as possible in coordination with the state.

This is a voluntary program that will pay for the cost of purchasing, demolishing, and stabilizing lots for over 60 flood-prone homes along the Intracoastal Waterway in Socastee. Homes outside of the targeted area will apply directly to SCDRO—more information is available on their website at https://florence.scstormrecovery.com/.

Horry County will be hosting a virtual seminar on March 23, 2021 at 3 p.m. to provide an update to affected residents to be followed by several intake meetings in the designated areas. Anyone who filled out the interest form last year will be contacted by the County with their next steps. Even those who did not fill out the interest form last year are eligible to begin the intake process, assuming they meet the criteria.

Director of Community Development Courtney Frappaolo said, “The Community Development Office is working closely with the state to develop a smooth intake process so that we can help residents get through this program as efficiently as possible. We know that these residents have been tremendously patient and we ask that everyone continue to work together with us as we get this underway.”

Visit horrycounty.org/resiliencyproject to stay informed about these projects. 

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) intends to perform controlled burns in the vicinity of International Drive on Monday, March 8, 2021 through Friday, March 12, 2021. Prescribed burns are set intentionally for purposes of forest management and to prevent uncontrolled forest fires. The controlled burn will reduce the accumulation of flammable fuels on the forest floor in accordance with SCDNR’s planned land management objectives. 

This controlled burn will require a temporary road closure of International Drive, from SC Highway 90 to Ocean Bay Elementary School, for all traffic. Road closures are expected to begin Monday, March 8th at 10:00 am. There is a possibility that the road will remain closed beginning Monday morning and reopen Friday night. Law Enforcement will be enforcing the road closure. Access to the Horry County Solid Waste Recycling Facility will remain open but only from SC Highway 90.

This schedule is subject to change and is based upon the most current weather forecast. Please plan your travel accordingly. Alternate routes include: US Highway 501 and SC Highway 22.