Chinese spy balloon downed near Carolina coast. Ground stop ended at Myrtle Beach airport

The Federal Aviation Administration announced that Myrtle Beach International Airport is back to normal operations Saturday afternoon after the United States downed a suspected Chinese spy balloon near the Carolina coast.

Ground stops had been issued for Myrtle Beach, Charleston International Airport and Wilmington International Airport due to national security concerns, according to the FAA.

The Horry County Government is advising residents that federal operations regarding the balloon could result in debris in area waters. While members of the U.S. military are coordinating to collect debris from the ocean, it is possible that fragments from the balloon may make it to the coastline, according to a press release from Mikayla Moskov, director of public information.

If residents see debris, they are asked to call local authorities at 843-248-1520. Debris should not be touched, moved or removed, the release said.

Such items are part of a federal investigation and tampering could interfere in that investigation.

Officials with the Biden administration had said they were considering bringing it down after over the Atlantic Ocean Saturday, according to the Associated Press.

The suspected Chinese balloon that has been making its way across the U.S. Officials believe the balloon is collecting information on government military operations.

The balloon was spotted Saturday morning in the Myrtle Beach area Saturday.

This story was originally published February 4, 2023 at 2:22 PM.