News and Announcements

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:

• Washing hands properly and often
• Using hand sanitizer when washing your hands is not an option
• Coughing and sneezing into the crux of one’s elbow
• Staying home when sick

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.

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:

• Zone A: All areas east of U.S. Business 17 (Kings Hwy), up to the 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 at http://www.horrycounty.org/Departments/EmergencyManagement.aspx.

Whether required to evacuate or not, at this time 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.

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.

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:

• First and foremost: slow down! 
• 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/icy conditions.
• 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. 

Horry County Emergency Management Division also urges everyone to continue proper precautions for cold weather such as: 

• Remember the usual emergency supplies: a flashlight and batteries, a battery-powered radio, extra non-perishable food and water, extra medicines and baby items, and first-aid supplies.
• Freezing temperatures can burst water pipes in homes that lack heat or proper insulation. Wrap exposed pipes or take other measures to insulate them from the cold.
• Prepare a place indoors for pets. Move farm animals to shelters and have extra feed and water available.
• Residents are encouraged to check on elderly and at-risk neighbors and relatives due to the increased potential for power outages and cold temperatures. 
• Use caution when traveling on roads.  
• Use caution when walking in parking lots and on sidewalks.
• Travelers should not contact the airport but should check with airlines as flights may be delayed or canceled. 

For more information on winter weather safety tips for your family and pets, please log onto the American Red Cross website.  

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.

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.