As residents and visitors alike it is important to remember that Horry County being located in the Atlantic Coastal region, is subject to flooding from the Atlantic Ocean as well as inland flooding from rivers and their tributaries. Being prepared is your best defense against such events. We here in Horry County need to be aware of the natural hazards that can pose a threat to our families and homes. Horry County is not unique in the types of hazards that it faces as issues with flooding are common in most coastal regions. Flooding in Horry County can be caused by several different elements. Each of these elements is outlined briefly below:
- Storm surge inundation that is experienced with a direct or indirect hit from a tropical system. As a storm approaches our coast the waves and mean sea level rise and push ashore causing flooding along the coast. In addition the storm surge can affect the levels of the freshwater rivers and waterways in our county which can also lead to flooding.
- Heavy Rain is another element that can tribute to flooding. If the rain occurs for long periods or if we have a system that dumps a lot of rain in a short period of time often time we can see localized flooding in certain areas. These types of systems can occur in conjunction with a tropical system or during a weather front that is affecting our area.
- Wildfire is another issue that could potentially affect flooding in our area. When an area experiences a wildfire the damage can cause a loss of vegetation and top soil, which under normal circumstances helps absorb the rain in that area. In cases where there were abundant losses of foliage; communities can sometime see localized flooding in those areas.
So what can you do to be prepared? Below you will find some additional items to further inform you about ways to protect your family and home.