Myrtle Beach, South Carolina hurricane evacuation strategies

Myrtle Beach prepares for hurricane season, emphasizing evacuation zones, potential flooding, and emergency contacts. Officials update and simplify evacuation zones to enhance compliance with evacuation orders. The new zones aim to increase safety and prompt more residents to evacuate when necessary. For the 2025 hurricane season, forecasts predict an above-normal number of storms driven by warmer Atlantic waters. This outlook prompts experts to stress the importance of early preparedness.

Preparations include testing evacuation routes across South Carolina, ensuring they're marked and clear for use. Governor McMaster announces statewide readiness for hurricanes, with emphasis on evacuation planning. Essential contact lists help residents stay informed during hurricanes, featuring local government and emergency services numbers. Maintaining a storm-ready mindset is essential for minimizing the impact of hurricanes on homes and communities.

The Red Bluff community flooded along the Waccamaw River and Simpsons Creek under Hurricane Florence’s deluge with entire neighborhoods underwater. Monday, Sept. 24, 2018.

NO. 1: A BUSY HURRICANE SEASON IS ON THE HORIZON. PROTECT YOUR HOME WITH TIPS FROM SC EXPERTS

When it comes to prepping your home for hurricane season, the earlier the better. Here are some things to put on your to-do list before summer hits. | Published May 6, 2021 | Read Full Story by Mary Norkol

NO. 2: HURRICANE SEASON STARTS JUNE 1. HERE’S WHAT SOUTH CAROLINIANS NEED TO DO TO PREPARE

New to the state? Been here for ages? We’ve got a list of what you need to do (and might not think of) to prepare for hurricane season this year. | Published May 31, 2021 | Read Full Story by Chase Karacostas

Horry County Council chairman Johnny Gardner, center, speaks to local emergency response officials and reporters on June 3, 2022 as part of a hurricane preparedness meeting with Gov. Henry McMaster, back right.

NO. 3: HORRY COUNTY HURRICANE EVACUATION ROUTES HAVE BEEN TESTED AND PROPERLY MARKED. HERE’S THE PLAN.

The governor said hurricane preparation and management is the ‘price of living in paradise.” Officials say evacuation routes, emergency communication networks ready | Published June 3, 2022 | Read Full Story by Adam Benson

Damaged homes and debris are shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla.

NO. 4: HOW TO SAFELY CLEAN UP AFTER PROPERTY DAMAGE AND FLOODING FROM A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM

Experts offer these words of warning as you clean up from the storm. First and foremost: Pace yourself. | Published January 9, 2023 | Read Full Story by Lyn Riddle

NO. 5: 4 PLACES IN THE MYRTLE BEACH AREA THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST POTENTIAL TO FLOOD

Horry County’s coastal areas are prone to flood even during minor storms. Here are some of the reasons why and areas that most often impacted. | Published January 9, 2023 | Read Full Story by Adam Benson

Hurricane Ian’s storm surge broke through the dunes and began flooding Sea Mountain Highway in North Myrtle Beach. Conditions deteriorated throughout the day on Friday in North Myrtle Beach as Hurricane Ian made landfall near Georgetown, S.C. The Cherry Grove area experienced severe flooding due to Ian’s storm surge on Friday, September 30, 2022.

NO. 6: HURRICANE SEASON 2023 EMERGENCY CONTACTS MYRTLE BEACH, HORRY COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW

Starting your hurricane preparations? Here are the emergency resources you’ll need to have saved for Horry County for future storms. | Published June 6, 2023 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

NO. 7: HURRICANE IDALIA EMERGENCY CONTACTS MYRTLE BEACH, HORRY COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW

Are you prepared for Tropical Storm Idalia? Here are the emergency resources you’ll need to have saved for Horry County. | Published August 28, 2023 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

Portions of a roof lay scattered in the canals of Hog Inlet in North Myrtle Beach S.C. after a tornado damaged roofs near 56th Avenue North in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Hurricane Idalia was downgraded to a tropical storm after hitting the gulf coast of Florida on Wednesday but brought heavy rains, coastal flooding and tornados to the South Carolina coastline. Aug. 31, 2023. By JASON LEE

NO. 8: MB STAFF ‘SIMPLIFIED’ HURRICANE EVACUATION ZONES TO GET RESIDENTS TO ACTUALLY USE THEM

By dumbing down each evacuation zone, the hope is that more people can safely leave town, leading to fewer emergencies during a large tropical storm. | Published July 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Elizabeth Brewer

Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. as Tropical Storm Debby begins to impact the Myrtle Beach area with wind and rain. Residents and visitors are making final preparations for what forecasters predict will be a long storm with significant flooding. Aug. 6, 2024. By JASON LEE

NO. 9: THE 2025 HURRICANE SEASON FOR MYRTLE BEACH, SC HAS ARRIVED. HERE’S HOW BAD IT COULD GET

The Atlantic is bracing for an above-normal hurricane season this year. Here’s how it could impact the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area, according to an expert. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Maria Elena Scott

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.