Heavy rainfall headed to Horry, Georgetown counties Wednesday afternoon

Thunderstorms could bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall as they boom through Horry and Georgetown counties Wednesday afternoon and evening, and some minor flooding could pool as a result.

“A strong cold front will move into our area later tonight and slowly push eastward before stalling just off the coast late Thursday. The impacts will be an initial round of thunderstorms beginning later this afternoon and continuing into the late evening hours,” Reid Hawkins, science officer with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C. said in a release Wednesday afternoon.

The front originated from a wave in California earlier this week and swept across the nation. Now, it’s expected to arrive in the Myrtle Beach area Wednesday afternoon and bring heavy rainfall that could total around 1.5 to 3 inches by Thursday night as the rain is expected to continue, weather authorities said.

The weather service issued a hazardous weather outlook for northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina and said rain could create saturated soils and ponding in low-lying areas, along with some minor flooding, and some general river flooding could occur in coming days if the rainfall amounts are on the higher side.

Temperatures are expected to be in the low 70s as the rain and wind blow through the area, but temperatures are projected to dip into the 30s Thursday night, weather authorities said.

Horry County officials and Horry County Emergency Management Division are encouraging motorists to drive safely during heavy rain and released the following safety tips:

• First and foremost: slow down.

• Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

• Maintain proper following distance.

• Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

• Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 12:13 PM with the headline "Heavy rainfall headed to Horry, Georgetown counties Wednesday afternoon."