News and Announcements

Conway, South Carolina –Horry County will begin curbside removal of bulk household debris from targeted flood stricken areas within unincorporated Horry County.  The county plans to conduct one pass of the areas along county maintained roads that have been identified over the last month from flood-height data, door-to-door assessments and flyover surveys.  Bulk debris such as carpeting, sofas, furniture, mattresses, drywall and other demolition materials should be placed in the right-of-way for removal in separate piles from any vegetative/woody debris.  Horry County will announce the targeted areas that the trucks will be in and will provide advance notice of curbside pickup through door-hangers and social media posts.

Home owners in need of assistance with removing flood damaged items should register at www.myrtlebeachdisasterrelief.com.  The home will be evaluated and a volunteer group will be assigned to assist.  Volunteers will help bring the debris to the right-of-way for the debris trucks to remove.

Horry County estimates that over 500 homes throughout the county have been impacted by flooding.  This number of homes is expected to rise as assessment teams continue to move into other flooded areas. 

To date, residents have self-hauled over 5,000 cubic yards of debris.

Residents impacted by the flood may still self-haul their bulky household debris to the Horry County Solid Waste Authority’s landfill or recycling convenience centers at no charge.  Bulk items should be separated from the vegetative/woody debris caused by the storm as well as other household items like paints, solvents, and garbage.  Information on those locations can be found at www.solidwasteauthority.org.                                                                       

Horry County continues to collect vegetative debris on county-maintained roads with two complete passes planned over the next several weeks and has also set-up a debris management hotline at (843) 340-9536.  It is available daily to provide information to residents who have questions or concerns about debris management operations.  The hotline is staffed by Horry County representatives from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Please continue to check the Horry County website for additional information and updates on the debris removal process. 

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 Emergency Management will continue to monitor Tropical Depression (TD) #9 throughout the weekend and keep the public aware of any changes in the forecast.
 
The current forecast has TD #9 moving along or near the Southeast U.S. coast after crossing northern Florida as at Tropical Storm. The track of the storm did shift slightly to the west, which will result in an increase in rain and wind for Horry County. The storm is 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. Maximum wind gusts along our coast could range from 50-53 mph and about 40 mph inland on Friday. Rainfall amounts along the coast of Horry County are estimated at 5-7 inches and 3-5 inches inland. 
 
TD #9 has the potential to have significant marine impact as the bulk of the storm is expected to remain offshore. There will continue to 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.

 

February 13, 2014   12 p.m.

Conway, South Carolina – Horry County has moved to Operating Condition Level 1(OPCON 1), which puts the county at “Disaster Operations” stage. Horry County has activated its emergency operational plans and is being managed by Horry County Emergency Management’s Command Staff. Horry County has NOT opened its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), but county officials will be monitoring conditions throughout the cleanup process.

Issues throughout the county continue to be downed tree limbs, causing roads to be blocked and downed power lines. Some of the hardest hit locations are Conway, Aynor, Loris and Green Sea. Sporadic power outages continue and residents should contact their local power provider to report any outages. Drivers are urged to use caution due to tree debris and downed power lines.

The county’s priority will remain clearing roads of debris for vehicle access, stabilizing the county road network, and removing vegetative debris from the county-maintained public right-of-ways.

Residents in the unincorporated areas of Horry County who need to dispose of their yard debris due to the winter storm, can take it to one of the 24 recycling centers and a link to the locations of the centers can be viewed at http://www.solidwasteauthority.org/recyclingcenters.html. Horry County does not provide curbside trash pick-up services, as the unincorporated millage pays for the 24 recycling centers located throughout Horry County. The Horry County Solid Waste Authority is prepared to handle the large volume of vegetative debris that is expected to be disposed of at the centers.

Due to warmer weather conditions expected this weekend, homeowners are urged to use extreme caution when burning vegetative debris that has fallen from the winter storm.
• Before doing any burning, establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil at least five-feet wide around any burn barrels and even wider around brush piles and other piled debris tobe burned. The larger the debris pile, the wider the control line that is needed to ensure that burning materials won’t be blown or roll off the pile into vegetation outside the line.
• Stay with all outdoor fires, until they are completely out.
• Keep water and hand tools ready in case your fire should attempt to spread.
• Homeowners are responsible for the control of their outdoor fires.

February 11, 2014    4:30 PM

 

Conway, South Carolina –Horry County will remain at Operating Condition Level 4 (OPCON 4) in preparation of wintry weather over the next couple of days. OPCON 4 puts Horry County on “Alert” status, which means county officials have begun discussions with South Carolina Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, and will continue to monitor the storm closely. Horry County is reviewing all operational plans and will keep everyone aware of any changes in the forecast and will take appropriate action when necessary.

The following county schedule changes are:

• All family, circuit, magistrate, magistrate jury and probate court hearings will be canceled on Wednesday, February 12.

The western parts of Horry County (Bucksport, Conway, Loris, Aynor, Gallivants Ferry and Green Sea) will begin to experience a wintry mix of rain and sleet tomorrow morning until about noon, where the precipitation is expected to turn back into rain. Parts of Horry County may also experience potential power outages from knocked down tree limbs. As always depending on the actual track of the system, things can change one way or another so Horry County will continue to monitor the event and be ready to make any adjustments as needed.

Horry County Emergency Management Division urges everyone to continue proper precautions 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 measure 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.
• 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.