Myrtle’s beaches closed to swimmers ahead of Hurricane Idalia. Double-red flags are posted
Waters are closed to swimmers along Myrtle Beach Wednesday as double-red flags are posted ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s impact on the area late Wednesday.
The National Weather Service predicted dangerous surf conditions Tuesday due to strong rip currents and large breaking waves associated with swells from Hurricane Franklin. Conditions were expected to worsen Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Idalia.
Myrtle Beach Fire Battalion Chief Brian Mitchell confirmed Wednesday that double-red flags were posted at the beaches.
Beach services monitors beach conditions daily, said Myrtle Beach Fire Capt. Jon Evans Tuesday.
Evans said that there was a heavy current Tuesday, which was expected to continue for Wednesday, and that swimmers need to take precautions.
While beach patrol and lifeguards are out monitoring the beaches, they can’t be out there at all times. “People need to act for themselves,” Evans said regarding safety.
Evans said he understand that “people are on vacation and want to get into the water,” but if it’s not safe, then they shouldn’t swim.
North Myrtle Beach had a yellow flag for its beaches Tuesday, according to its beach conditions website. The site did indicate there is a strong surf that is 2 to 3 foot. On Wednesday, beaches still had a yellow flag, but there were no lifeguards on duty because of the pending storm.
Although the area is expected to be impacted by Hurricane Idalia by Wednesday, May Wingard, beach patrol officer with North Myrtle Beach Police, said Tuesday that she is more concerned about conditions for Thursday. With the heavy rain and wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph, Wingard expects flags will change to double red Thursday and lifeguards may not be on patrol.
“All of that is very, very fluid,” Wingard said Tuesday, adding that the beach patrol is monitoring the storm. But the main concern is the safety of the lifeguards and the public.
At Myrtle Beach State Park, beaches had a red flag Tuesday. No one answered the phone at Huntington State Park.
The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch for the Myrtle Beach area Wednesday through Thursday. The storm is expected to bring tropical storm force winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of 45 mph, storm surge of 1 to 3 feet and 4 to 6 inches of rain. Localized flooding and power outages, as well storm debris, also can happen.
What do the flags mean?
Beachgoers can find information about beach safety, water monitoring and flag system on Myrtle Beach’s website.
Here are the meanings of the beach flags:
- Two red flags: Water is closed to the public
- Red flag: High hazard
- Yellow flag: Medium hazard
- Green flag: Low hazard
- Blue/purple: Dangerous marine life.
This story was originally published August 29, 2023 at 12:33 PM.
