News and Announcements

Date: October 9, 2016
Time: 8 a.m.
 

• Horry County damage assessment teams began at 8 a.m. this morning.
• The Horry County Emergency Operations Center Phone Bank lines are temporarily down and should be operational shortly.
• The Governor is the only one who can rescind evacuation orders and has not yet done so.
• 131+ roads closed and/or impassable.
• Travelers should check with their airlines for current flight status.
• There continues to be widespread power outages throughout Horry County.  Utility crews are working to restore power as quickly as is safely possible.  It is estimated that it will take several days to fully restore electrical services throughout the county.
• There are still widespread reports of downed powerlines and trees.  Horry County officials are strongly encouraging people to stay off the roads.
• Due to widespread flooding, citizens are reminded to NEVER drive around barricades/barrels/road closed signs, and to NEVER drive through standing water.  
• Citizens are encouraged to only call 911 for life safety emergencies.

 Horry County Emergency Management can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

Conway, South Carolina – At 8:00 a.m., Horry County will move to Operating Condition Level 4 (OPCON 4) in preparation of Hurricane Matthew. OPCON 4 puts Horry County on “Alert” status, which means that county officials have begun discussions with South Carolina Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and other coastal communities.  Horry County will continue to monitor the storm closely and review all operational plans.  The Horry County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is NOT active at this time, however Horry County Emergency Management will continue to keep the public aware of changes in the forecast and appropriate action will be taken as necessary.

Forecasters with our local NWS offices predict that even if Hurricane Matthew remains at sea, Horry County's coast could see tropical storm-force winds and flooding.

Citizens should stay tuned to local media for updates.  It is also a good time to review family emergency plans, including items that may be needed during power outages such as water, batteries, flashlights, etc.

For more information on wind safety, please visit the National Weather Service at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/wind/.

Conway, South Carolina –Horry County remains at Operating Condition Level 4 (OPCON 4) in preparation of Tropical Storm Hermine.  OPCON 4 puts Horry County on “Alert” status, which means that county officials have begun discussions with South Carolina Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and other coastal communities.  Horry County will continue to monitor the storm closely and review all operational plans.  The Horry County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is NOT active at this time, however Horry County Emergency Management will continue to keep the public aware of changes in the forecast and appropriate action will be taken as necessary.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Horry County and a Flash Flood Watch is also in effect for all areas of northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina through early Saturday morning. 

The storm is still forecast to make its closest approach to our county late afternoon and early evening. Winds and rainfall amounts are forecast to begin increasing this morning and decrease by late this evening into early Saturday morning. Sustained winds of 30-45 mph will pick-up this afternoon with gusts of 50-55 mph along the immediate coast over-night tonight. Rainfall amounts throughout Horry County are still estimated at 5-7 inches. 

Tidal flooding in the low lying coastal areas along Cherry Grove and Garden City Beach could become an issue this evening as high tide will be at 9 p.m. 

There will be a high potential for rip currents along our beaches throughout the weekend. Beachgoers are encouraged to follow the below ocean safety checklist:

Ocean Safety Checklist

• Be honest about your swimming ability. The ocean is not a swimming pool.
• Never turn your back on the ocean. Being hit by a wave while you’re not watching can cause serious injury. 
• Never take your eye off children in the water, no matter how calm the ocean.
• If you need help, shout “HELP” (and not a family member’s name) or wave an arm to get attention.
• A current can pull you away in waist high water.
• If you get caught in a current, do not struggle against it. Rip currents are usually narrow, so calmly swim perpendicular to the current direction to get out of it. 
• Too many rules to remember? Then remember just one…..SWIM IN FRONT OF LIFE GUARDS!

Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when traveling as roads will be slick and ponding could occur. 

Additional driving tips include:

• First and foremost: slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.
• Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
• Maintain proper following distance (3 Second Rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.
• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
• Don't follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
• Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.

Coastal residents and property owners are especially encouraged to begin securing outdoor furniture, garbage cans, etc. as winds will start increasing throughout the day. 

Citizens should stay tuned to local media for updates.  It is also a good time to review family hurricane plans, including items that may be needed such as water, batteries, flashlights, etch.  Additional hurricane information can be found on Horry County’s official website.

Conway, South Carolina – At 3 p.m. Horry County will move to Operating Condition Level 4 (OPCON 4) in preparation of Tropical Storm Hermine.  OPCON 4 puts Horry County on “Alert” status, which means that county officials have begun discussions with South Carolina Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and other coastal communities.  Horry County will continue to monitor the storm closely and review all operational plans.  The Horry County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is NOT active at this time, however Horry County Emergency Management will continue to keep the public aware of changes in the forecast and appropriate action will be taken as necessary.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Horry County and a Flash Flood Watch is also in effect for all areas of northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina through early Saturday morning. 

The current forecast track has Tropical Storm Hermine moving slower and shifting back to the east. The storm is still forecast to make its closest approach to our coast late Friday afternoon and early evening. Winds and rainfall amounts are forecast to begin increasing Friday morning and decrease by late Friday evening into early Saturday morning. Maximum wind gusts throughout the county could range from 50-53 mph on Friday and rainfall amounts throughout Horry County are estimated at 5-7 inches. 

Tidal flooding in the low lying coastal areas along Cherry Grove and Garden City Beach could become an issue Friday evening as high tide will be at 9 p.m. 

There will be a high potential for rip currents along our beaches throughout the weekend. Beachgoers are encouraged to follow the below ocean safety checklist:

Ocean Safety Checklist

• Be honest about your swimming ability. The ocean is not a swimming pool.
• Never turn your back on the ocean. Being hit by a wave while you’re not watching can cause serious injury. 
• Never take your eye off children in the water, no matter how calm the ocean.
• If you need help, shout “HELP” (and not a family member’s name) or wave an arm to get attention.
• A current can pull you away in waist high water.
• If you get caught in a current, do not struggle against it. Rip currents are usually narrow, so calmly swim perpendicular to the current direction to get out of it. 
• Too many rules to remember? Then remember just one…..SWIM IN FRONT OF LIFE GUARDS!

On Friday, motorists are urged to use extreme caution when traveling as roads will be slick and ponding could occur. 

Additional driving tips include:

• First and foremost: slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.
• Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
• Maintain proper following distance (3 Second Rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.
• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
• Don't follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
• Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.

Coastal residents and property owners are especially encouraged to begin securing outdoor furniture, garbage cans, etc. as winds will start increasing on Friday. 

Citizens should stay tuned to local media for updates.  It is also a good time to review family hurricane plans, including items that may be needed such as water, batteries, flashlights, etch.  Additional hurricane information can be found on Horry County’s official website. 

Conway, South Carolina – Horry County Emergency Management continues to monitor Tropical Storm Colin.  The Horry County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is not currently open and no watches or warnings have been issued for Horry County at this time.

Emergency management officials urge citizens and visitors to have their preparations in place.  Tropical Storm Colin is anticipated to bring between three to five inches of rain over the next several days, with locally higher amounts possible.  Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when traveling as roads will be slick and ponding may occur.

Additional driving tips include:

• Turn around, don’t drown!  Never drive through water on the roadway.  Just 12-inches of water can carry away a small car and two feet can carry away most vehicles!
• First and foremost: slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.
• Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
• Maintain proper following distance (3 Second Rule). This needs to be increased in rainy weather.
• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
• Don't follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. In addition, take care when passing them; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
• Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.

For the latest information on the advance of Tropical Storm Colin, stay tuned to local media broadcasts.  Additional information can be found on Horry County’s website.