News and Announcements

Date: 12 September 2017

Time: 8 a.m.

Conway, South Carolina – Horry County has returned to Operating Condition (OPCON) 5, which is normal operating conditions, as of 8 a.m. this morning. The Horry County Emergency Operations Center is not open however Horry Emergency Management is available for questions, concerns, etc.

Beachgoers should heed the advice of lifeguards as the threat of rip currents may continue throughout the next couple of days.

For more information, call Horry County Emergency Management at 843-915-5150 or visit Horry County’s website. Horry County Emergency Management can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter. 

Date: 8 September 2017

Time: 7:30 a.m.

Conway, South Carolina – Horry County remains at Operating Condition 4 (OPCON) this morning however, county staff will continue conversations with state officials. OPCON 4 means that Hurricane Irma still poses a potential threat to Horry County.

Hurricane Irma’s track is still uncertain however citizens should continue to monitor this dangerous system. Citizens should be finishing up preparations today and tomorrow should the storm change track. The following are steps to take to prepare:

• Survey the property to mitigate any potential for flooding such as making sure storm drains and gutters are clear of debris.
• Have their family hurricane plans in place.
• Have family emergency/hurricane kit ready; including items like water, batteries, flashlights, etc.
• Monitor reputable weather information such as local media or the National Hurricane Center for the most up to date hurricane information.
• Be sure vehicles are fueled up and serviced.
• Know your zone! Go to Horry County’s website to find your zone.
• If you are in an evacuation zone, know where you will go.
• Don’t forget to make plans for your pets.

Additional hurricane information can be found on Horry County’s website at www.horrycounty.org.

Horry County Emergency Management Facebook

Horry County Emergency Management Twitter

Horry County Operating Condition (OPCON) Levels

OPCON 5: Normal day to day operations

OPCON 4: Storm poses possible threat: The possibility of an emergency or disaster situation that may require activation of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC).

OPCON 3: Storm poses significant threat: A disaster or emergency situation is likely. Most likely the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has been or will be activated (either partially or fully based on the severity of the event).

OPCON 2: Evacuation order imminent: A disaster or emergency situation is imminent or in effect.

OPCON 1: Evacuation order issued: A major disaster or emergency is in effect. This is the highest state of emergency situation and the Emergency Operations Center is fully activated.  This also applies to post disaster operations.

Date: 7 September 2017

Time: 5 p.m.

Conway, South Carolina – Horry County will move to OPCON 3 (Level 3 Operating Condition) in preparation of Hurricane Irma as of 8 a.m. Friday, September 8, 2017. OPCON 3 means the storm poses a significant threat to Horry County. County officials are in continual discussions with South Carolina Emergency Management, coastal communities including local municipalities, the Governor’s office and will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Horry County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is NOT activated at this time.

Should mandatory evacuation order be issued, it is important that residents are familiar with the evacuation zones as follows:

• Zone A: All areas east of U.S. Business 17 (Kings Hwy), up to intersection with U.S. 17 (Kings Hwy) and then all areas east of US 17 (Kings Hwy) to the Northern county line.
• Zone B: All areas south of Hwy 707 and Longwood Drive, including all areas in Longwood Plantation (Blackmoor) to the Waccamaw River and all areas east of U.S. 17 Bypass (Mark Garner Hwy) to U.S. 17 (North Kings Hwy) and all areas east of U.S. 17 (North Kings Hwy) to the northern county line.                                               
• Zone C: All areas between Hwy 701 and Hwy 544, south of Brown's Chapel Avenue and Hwy 814, plus all areas east of Highway 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) to Highway 90 and all areas east of Highway 90 to U.S. 17 to the northern county line. 
• Mobile homes, campers and those in flood prone areas are asked to evacuate for all storms.
• Horry County evacuates for storm surge and not for wind.

Prior to any evacuation orders, it is important that residents are familiar with the evacuation route that they will take:

North Myrtle Beach and northward: Evacuees from north of Briarcliffe Acres will take SC 9 north to I-95 and beyond.
Briarcliffe Acres south to Myrtle Beach 10th Avenue North: Evacuees in Briarcliffe Acres south to 10th Avenue North will take SC 22 (Conway Bypass) to US 501 to Marion.  In Marion, they may then take US 76 to Florence to access I-95 southbound or they may stay on US 501 to SC 38 to access I-95 northbound.
Myrtle Beach, from 10th Avenue North south to the Myrtle Beach International Airport: Evacuees from the Myrtle Beach area south of 10th Avenue North and north of the Myrtle Beach International Airport will take US 501 to Conway.  They may then take US 378 to Columbia or continue on US 501 to Marion.  In Marion they may then take US 76 to Florence to access I-95 southbound or they may stay on US 501 to SC 38 to access I-95 northbound.
Myrtle Beach International Airport southward through Surfside Beach: Evacuees from the Myrtle Beach International Airport south through Surfside Beach will take SC 544 to US 501 to Conway.  They may then take US 378 to Columbia or continue on US 501 to Marion.  In Marion they may then take US 76 to Florence to access I-95 southbound or they may stay on US 501 to SC 38 to access I-95 northbound.
Garden City Beach south to Winyah Bay: Evacuees from Garden City Beach south to Winyah Bay will take US 17 south through Georgetown.  They will then take US 521 to SC 261 to US 378 to Columbia.  Alternatively, they may take US 17 south to US 701 in Georgetown to SC 51 to US 378 at Kingsburg.

Residents that reside in Evacuation Zone C should utilize the closest available evacuation route to safely evacuate the area.

When evacuating, it is important to take a road map. Motorists should be aware that law enforcement and the South Carolina National Guard may be posted along evacuation routes to provide assistance. Evacuation routes and maps are available on Horry County’s office website.

Whether required to evacuate or not, citizens should:

• Have all necessary medications (prescription and over the counter).
• Have a supply of nonperishable food and water for each family member including pets.
• Survey property to mitigate the potential of flooding such as making sure storm drains and gutters are clear of debris. 
• Have family hurricane plans in place; including items that may be needed like water, batteries, flashlights, etc. 
• Anticipate potential power outages that could extend for several days.

If an evacuation order is given, the following schools will be opened as American Red Cross Shelters:

• Aynor Middle-400 Frye Road, Galivants Ferry
• Conway High School, 2301 Church Street, Conway
• Loris High-301 Loris Lions Road, Loris
• Palmetto Bays Elementary, 8900 Highway 544, Myrtle Beach
• Whittemore Park Middle-1808 Rhue Street

Shelters should be considered as a place of last resort to ride out the storm, shelters may be crowded, they do not accept pets and not designed for comfort. When going to a shelter, citizens will need to take their own supplies such as batteries, bedding, identification, toiletries, clothing, etc…Shelters do not accept guns, alcohol or animals. To easily locate a shelter, download the free American Red Cross Shelter Finder application on the Apple iTunes Store or Google Play.

Additional hurricane information can be found on Horry County’s website. This link contains information on how to prepare for an emergency, evacuation routes and maps, re-entry information, shelters, etc.

Horry County Emergency Management Facebook

Horry County Emergency Management Twitter     

Horry County Operating Condition (OPCON) Levels

• OPCON 5: Normal day to day operations
• OPCON 4: Storm poses possible threat: The possibility of an emergency or disaster situation that may require activation of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC).
• OPCON 3: Storm poses significant threat: A disaster or emergency situation is likely. Most likely the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has been or will be activated (either partially or fully based on the severity of the event).
• OPCON 2: Evacuation order imminent: A disaster or emergency situation is imminent or in effect.
• OPCON 1: Evacuation order issued: A major disaster or emergency is in effect. This is the highest state of emergency situation and the Emergency Operations Center is fully activated.  This also applies to post disaster operations.

Conway, South Carolina – Horry County Emergency Management will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Hermine throughout the weekend and keep the public aware of any changes in the forecast.

A Tropical Storm Warning is now 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.