News and Announcements

Conway, SC (October 5, 2018)—Horry County Government has received a number of questions about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation program which can fund property acquisition programs or “buy-outs.” These programs have not yet been initiated or funded in Horry County following Hurricane Florence.

FEMA and the state of South Carolina must first begin the process by announcing that funding is available based on the amount of sustained damages. At this point in the recovery process, Horry County is still assessing the damage from Hurricane Florence in our communities. If a buyout program is put in place, it is long and complex. Demand from homeowners seeking buyouts is typically greater than the amount of funding available. In the event that one of these programs is initiated, FEMA typically provides 75 percent of the money for property buyouts and states work with local communities to fund the remainder and administer the process. A homeowner cannot apply directly to the federal government for a buyout. Rather, after a disaster, state and local officials identify where hazard mitigation projects like buyouts make the most sense given the funding available from FEMA.

There are disaster relief efforts in place to assist residents impacted by flooding.  Residents affected by Hurricane Florence and the subsequent flooding can apply to FEMA for assistance by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. Alternatively, citizens may call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. Individuals with a speech disability or hearing loss may use TTY by calling 1-800-462-7585. Individuals utilizing a 711 or video relay service (VRS) may call 1-800-621-3362. The FEMA National Processing Service Center is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Residents impacted by flooding can also reach out to the Waccamaw VOAD for assistance from local volunteer organizations by visiting disasterhelp.me or sending an email to impactmb.org. 

Horry County has established a webpage dedicated to Hurricane Florence Recovery Resources at www.horrycounty.org/FlorenceRecovery.

Click HERE for Horry County Government's meetings, agendas, releases and road construction for the week of October 8-12, 2018.

Conway, South Carolina – The Horry County Animal Care Center (HCACC) will hold a vaccination clinic, October 9, 2018, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the shelter located at 1923 Industrial Park Road in Conway. The following services will be offered:

• Distemper/Parvo                     $10--must be at least 8-weeks old (canine)
• Bordatella                               $10--must be at least 8-weeks old (canine)
• Rabies                                     $10--must be at least 4-months old (canine & feline)
• Microchip                                $15--must be at least 8-weeks old (canine & feline)
• Rhinotracheitis/Calici              $10--must be at least 8-weeks old (feline)

Dogs and cats are both welcome; dogs must be on a hand-held leash and cats must be in a pet carrier.

The Animal Care Center also holds low-cost spay/neuter clinics, which are open to all residents of Horry County. The cost for cats is $50 and dogs are $80 (discounted fees are available for residents receiving government assistance). Contact the HCACC for more information or to make an appointment.

To help homeless animals find loving homes, the HCACC offers discounted adoptions the first Friday and Saturday of each month. The discounted fee typically includes spaying/neutering, vaccines, heartworm or leukemia testing, heartworm and flea preventative, intestinal parasite treatment and microchipping. Qualifying new pet parents also get 30-days free pet health insurance and coupons from local pet businesses. 

To view animals currently available for adoption, stray intakes or for more information on the monthly clinics, contact the Horry County Animal Care Center at 843-915-5172, follow us on Facebook, or visit our website.

Conway, South Carolina (October 4, 2018) – Horry County is beginning its recovery process in the wake of Hurricane Florence and the subsequent flooding. As a part of this process, the County has activated its debris management plan. The County’s contracted crews will begin on Monday in the flooded areas from the State Line to Highway 9 including the Aberdeen area, and then they will move south of Highway 9 to cover Polo Farms, Tallwood Drive, and the Starbluff Area. The crews will continue, making several passes, working their way from the north end of the County to the south end, following the receding water.

Horry County will only be picking up storm debris along county roads in the unincorporated areas of the county impacted by flooding. Residents along these county-maintained roads are asked to place storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way as soon as they are able, as trucks will begin debris removal operations on Monday, October 8, 2018. The public right-of-way is the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement, approximately 10’ to 12’ from the edge of the pavement.

The County’s curbside debris program will only remove flood-damaged construction and demolition debris, flood-damaged appliances and white goods, flood-damaged electronics, and household hazardous waste. Regular household trash and vegetative debris will not be collected. Bagged debris should not be placed on the public right-of-way, only loose debris will be collected. The contractor will make several passes and will collect debris in phases. A single residence may need multiple passes to remove all the types of debris.

Horry County reminds residents on county-maintained roads in flood-impacted areas:   

• Do not place debris near water meter vaults, fire hydrants or any other above-ground utilities.
• Items will only be removed if they are in the road right-of-way. The contractors will not approach or enter your home to remove debris.
• Check with your insurance provider and take pictures of the debris to be removed if required.
• Help maintain neighborhood access for large trucks and be mindful of additional truck traffic in impacted neighborhoods.
• Private contractors who are paid to dispose of debris should take it to the Horry County Solid Waste Authority’s landfill located at 1886 Highway 90 in Conway.
• Residents can report suspicious activity in the neighborhood by calling the Horry County Police Department non-emergency dispatch line at 843-248-1520.

Please visit horrycounty.org for additional information and updates on the debris removal process. To assist citizens, Horry County will create a Debris Removal Hotline (more information to follow at a later date).

Conway, South Carolina – Horry County will move to Operating Condition (OPCON) 4 as of 4 p.m. this afternoon. OPCON 4 means that flooding still poses a threat to Horry County, however, the area rivers and waterways continue to recede and the situation is becoming more stabilized. Horry County Emergency Management is transitioning into recovery efforts to assist those in our community who currently have immediate and future needs.

The Horry County Emergency Operations Center and the Phone Bank will close as of 5 p.m. today. Citizens may still call Horry County Emergency Management at (843) 915-5150 during normal business hours.

Residents affected by Hurricane Florence and the subsequent flooding can apply to FEMA for assistance by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. Alternatively, citizens may call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. Individuals with a speech disability or hearing loss may use TTY by calling 1-800-462-7585. Individuals utilizing a 711 or video relay service (VRS) may call 1-800-621-3362. The FEMA National Processing Service Center is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Additional flooding information can be found on Horry County’s official website and on Horry County Emergency Management's Facebook page and Twitter feed.