Horry County due for another major hurricane. Will it be this year? What to know
Seasonal hurricane forecasts change every year, but Horry County officials’ messages stay the same.
Get prepared.
Complacency is a top concern for the area’s emergency management coordinators, and with this year’s predicted below-normal season, leaders say residents still need to have a plan in place early. Hurricane season officially lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year.
“Do we care about the numbers? Yes, because there’s science behind the numbers, but all it is, is a number,” Horry County Director of Emergency Management Sam Hodge said. “For us the number is one, and that’s the storm that will hit Horry County.”
Hodge said new residents are often thirsty for information and how to be prepared for hurricane season, especially if they have not lived on the coast. The more complacent residents are typically locals who have lived through storms that “weren’t that bad” and assume the rest will be the same.
The last major hurricane to hit Horry County was Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and before that was Hurricane Hazel in 1954. They have become the benchmark storms for residents to compare to, Hodge said.
Thomas Bell, Horry County spokesperson, said meteorologists have warned the area is due for another major storm, and while it may or may not be this year, it is going to happen someday, and that’s why preparedness is so important.
The county has taken the “all-hazards” approach, taking advantage of the start of hurricane season to get people prepared, but is pushing the same message for other seasons with flooding, wildfires, tornadoes and even snow.
In recent years, inland flooding has notoriously become an increasing hazard during storms. After disastrous flooding from Hurricane Florence in 2018, the county developed the Map Your Move tool for residents to see flood and evacuation zones, storm surge hazards, roads that closed during Florence and fire rescue and hospital locations. The tool requires an account login but is free to use.
The county speaks with dozens of groups throughout the year to spread the message of preparedness.
What residents need to know during an emergency evacuation event
Horry County’s Hurricane Guide lists important information to know during an emergency, including essential items, evacuation zones and traffic routes.
Before a storm hits, emergency managers urge residents to create an emergency kit, including items such as water, non-perishable food, batteries, electronic chargers, a radio, a first aid kit, flashlights, identification, importation documents, cash, medications, pet items, toiletries, blankets and extra clothes.
Hurricane evacuations are issued by the governor when deemed necessary and are considered mandatory. Evacuation zones (A, B and C) are determined by potential storm surge and not by category of storm. Residents outside an evacuation zone can still evacuate, and those leaving do not have to wait until the designated time begins, Hodge said.
Public shelters are available, and Coast RTA provides free transportation to shelters when evacuations are ordered. Residents should look for temporary blue and white hurricane evacuation bus stop signs to find pickup locations. All rides end at officially designated emergency shelters, and return trips only stop at the designated pickup points.
Officials say residents should be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours after a storm as it can be difficult for emergency assistance to reach certain areas of the county depending on flooding or other hazards blocking a route.
Hodge said with the clear communication between state, county and municipality emergency managers, Horry County is well-equipped to handle emergencies.
The City of Myrtle Beach provides essential emergency information on their website and sends emergency alerts when residents or visitors sign up.
City spokesperson Meredith Denari said one of the most important ways for residents to get prepared is to create a designated place for all important documents to be ready to go in case of an evacuation order. The City often provides free sand bags ahead of looming storms to mitigate potential flood damage.
Denari also said the city works closely with hotels and updates communications frequently to maintain safety for visitors. The city’s newsletter provides important updates before, during and after the storm arrives.
The city encourages preparedness year-round, and underscores the same messages the county and state emphasize: it only takes one storm, and it’s not a matter of “if,” but a matter of “when” the next disaster hits.
Neighboring North Myrtle Beach has new emergency management oversight this season, newly appointed NMB Fire Department Chief John Galganski. While his role remains similar to years prior as deputy fire chief, he said it’s an added responsibility of balancing emergency management and fire rescue in the different phases of preparation, response and recovery of when a hurricane strikes.
Due to the curvature of North Myrtle Beach’s coastline, it is dependent on the storm track whether the city will be more susceptible to impacts than surrounding areas. Regardless, he said the messaging to stay prepared is crucial, especially in a year with fewer predicted storms.
“Don’t let your guard down,” he said.
He urges residents who want to ride out a storm to follow recommended evacuations, if they occur. The better prepared residents and visitors are and the more precautions that are taken, recovery efforts can be streamlined to urgent situations. There is only so much fire rescue can do once someone reaches their threshold of riding out a storm, he said.
“Storm surge is an incredible force. You’re just not going to win that battle,” Galganski said. “So you can gamble all you want, but you have to understand the consequences of your gambling.”