Stay safe, y’all: Horry County placed under tornado watch, flood advisory Thursday
Horry County is under a tornado watch and flash flood advisory into Friday morning as heavy winds and rain have reached the area.
The National Weather Service placed northeastern South Carolina and parts of North Carolina under a tornado watch from 5 p.m. on Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday morning.
A watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to form. A warning means a tornado has been spotted in the area.
Wind gusts could reach 70 miles per hour Thursday night in Horry County and Myrtle Beach, according to the NWS, which predicts there is a chance for hail and up to two inches of rain as a result of the storm.
Thunderstorms that spawned possible tornadoes in Mississippi and Georgia on Wednesday night into Thursday morning were charging eastward throughout the day Thursday.
The NWS has issued a flood advisory into Friday morning, as heavy rain could cause minor flooding.
It also issued a wind advisory until 7 p.m. Friday, as west winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph could cause tree limbs to fall on power lines or topple trees with weak soils and weakened root systems from Thursday’s heavy rain.
Horry County Schools canceled all evening events. Horry County Planning Commission also canceled its Thursday meeting.
As of 9 p.m. Thursday, nearly 100 roads were closed throughout the state, with the most significant damage to roads occurring in the Upstate.
The National Weather Service has also issued a flood warning for The Little Pee Dee River At Galivants Ferry from late Sunday night until further notice, as at least minor flooding is expected.
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 4:50 PM.
