Public news and announcements are brought to you by the Horry County Public Information Office.
On March 2, 2020 in County News, Emergencies
Horry County Emergency Management and Public Safety partners are monitoring the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as it continues to spread globally.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Horry County, or in South Carolina.
Following the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), County officials would like to remind residents and visitors to practice good hygienic measures, such as:
Simple, proactive measures such as these will go a long way in preventing the spread of COVID-19, but also the seasonal flu.
County officials will continue to monitor conditions and follow the guidance of our state partners at DHEC.
On September 9, 2018 in Emergencies
Horry County moved to OPCON 3 (Level 3 Operating Condition) in preparation of Hurricane Florence as of 12 p.m. Sunday, September 9, 2018. 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 activated at this time. The Horry County EOC phone bank is line is 843-915-5150.
Should mandatory evacuation order be issued, it is important that residents are familiar with the evacuation zones as follows:
Prior to any evacuation orders, it is important that residents are familiar with the evacuation route that they will take:
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 at http://www.horrycounty.org/Departments/EmergencyManagement.aspx.
Whether required to evacuate or not, at this time citizens should:
Additional hurricane information can be found on Horry County’s website at http://www.horrycounty.org/Departments/EmergencyManagement/Hurricanes. 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: https://www.facebook.com/horrycountyemergencymanagementdepartment
Horry County Emergency Management Twitter: https://twitter.com/HorryEMD
Horry County Operating Condition (OPCON) Levels
OPCON 5: Normal day to day operations
OPCON 4: Storm poses a possible threat: The possibility of an emergency or disaster situation that may require activation of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC).
OPCON 3: Storm poses a 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.
On January 2, 2018 in Emergencies, Public Safety
Conway, South Carolina –The Horry County Emergency Management Department is monitoring the winter weather conditions that are possible for our area. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch effective from 6 a.m. Wednesday morning through 6 a.m. Thursday morning. Anticipated impacts include heavy mixed precipitation (snow and/or ice) for portions of northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina.
Citizens are encouraged to drive safely during rainy conditions:
Horry County Emergency Management Division also urges everyone to continue proper precautions for cold weather such as:
For more information on winter weather safety tips for your family and pets, please log onto the American Red Cross website.
On August 28, 2017 in Emergencies, Public Safety
Date: 28 August 2017
Time: 8 a.m.
Potential Tropical Cyclone 10 Update:
Conway, South Carolina – Horry County has moved to a Level 4 Operating Condition (OPCON 4) as of 8 a.m. this morning in preparation for potential tropical cyclone 10. OPCON 4 puts Horry County on “alert” status, which means county officials have begun discussions with South Carolina Emergency Management, coastal communities including local municipalities, and will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Horry County Emergency Operations Center is not activated 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.
In anticipation of possible effects on Horry County from the tropical system, the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch for all of coastal South Carolina. A tropical storm watch means that hazardous weather is likely in the warning area within the next 48-hours.
Horry County may see winds to 35 miles per hour as the system moves by with rainfall amounts of three to six inches or more possible. Citizens are reminded to never drive through moving water, to avoid flooded areas and to report any downed power lines to the utility company.
Citizens should also have their family hurricane plans in place; including items that may be needed like water, batteries, flashlights, etc. Additional hurricane information can be found on Horry County’s website at www.horrycounty.org.
On May 2, 2017 in General, Public Safety
Conway, South Carolina – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has upgraded Horry County to a Class 7 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). Horry County was previously rated as a Class 9. CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. The CRS program also recognizes a community’s efforts to reduce flood risk, facilitates accurate insurance ratings, and promotes the awareness of flood insurance.
Previously as a Class 9 community in 2010, there was approximately $314,313 in Flood Insurance Savings in the unincorporated areas of Horry County. Now as a Class 7 community, there will be approximately $875,147 in Flood Insurance Savings and residents who live in the floodplain in the unincorporated areas of the county and have flood insurance, will receive a 15 percent discount on their flood insurance premiums.
This is the first step in helping reduce flood losses and save lives. Horry County is committed to making the Floodplain Management Program a success and is already looking at ways to improve programs and improve the rating given by FEMA. For the next rating review, the county can increase their score by improvements within the program and improve their rating. A community accrues points to improve its CRS Class rating and points are awarded for engaging in any of 19 creditable activities, organized under four categories: public information, mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction, and warning and response.
Horry County would like to thank the following departments who assisted with the CRS process: Code Enforcement, Emergency Management, Planning, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Stormwater.
The new CRS rating went into effect May 1, 2017, and residents will receive their flood insurance premium reductions at the time of insurance renewals.
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