UPDATE: Myrtle Beach area under a tornado watch. Severe thunderstorm warning

Note: This story is being updated when alerts are issued. Check back for the latest information.

Horry County is among several South Carolina counties officially under a tornado watch Monday afternoon as powerful storms pass through the Palmetto State.

The county also has a severe thunderstorm warning until 3:45 p.m. Impacted areas include Adrian, Bucksport, Bucksville, Burgess, Conway, Dongola, Forestbrook, Goretown, Hammond, Hand, Hickory Grove, Homewood, Longs, Loris, Nixonville, Red Hill, Socastee and Wampee.

Down south, Georgetown County faces a tornado warning until 3:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service placed Georgetown County under a tornado watch from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. after a tornado watch was put in effect for Horry, Dillon, Florence, Marion and Williamsburg counties through 8 p.m. Monday night.

A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible but haven’t been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

Under a tornado watch, the NWS advises:

• Reviewing emergency plans
• Taking inventory of supplies
• Checking a safe room, if able
• Remaining prepared to act if a warning is issued or a tornado may be approaching

If a tornado warning is issued, there is an imminent threat to life and property. At that point, those impacted should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, avoiding windows. The NWS encourages people in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors to move to the closest substantial shelter for protection from flying debris.

Coastal Horry and Georgetown counties are also under a wind advisory until 7 p.m. Monday with 20-to-30-mph south winds and gusts up to 50 mph. The NWS warns gusty winds will blow unsecured objects and downed tree limbs could cause power outages.

Inland, Horry and Georgetown face a freeze warning from 2 to 10 a.m. Wednesday. The NWS predicts temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s, which could kill plants and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 1:43 PM.