Here’s how Myrtle Beach area residents and businesses are preparing for Hurricane Idalia
The parking lot was moderately full at the Publix grocery store on 136 Sapwood Road in Carolina Forest on Wednesday morning, Aug. 30.
Customers casually walked to and from the store carrying groceries in their shopping carts. Despite Hurricane Idalia making its way to the Myrtle Beach area, most residents seemed unconcerned.
Denis Baku, 18, is from the Myrtle Beach area and is a student at Coastal Carolina University. He said was stocking up on water and toilet paper but wasn’t too worried.
“Since (Hurricane) Matthew was pretty bad, no I’m not concerned.”
Chris Farrell is a real estate agent living in Carolina Forest with a wife and a four-month-old baby. Farrell’s lived in the area for eight years, and the worst hurricane he experienced was Hurricane Florence. Farrell was buying non-perishable goods and diapers to prepare for Idalia and hoped he wouldn’t lose power. Farrell has a few properties he manages and said he will check them for damage this weekend.
Despite the storm, Farrell said he still plans to hang out with friends over the holiday weekend.
“I’m not going to let it stop me,” he added.
Businesses on Ocean Blvd near the beach were open for businesses too, although there were few people out shopping and even less enjoying the waves during the downcast weather.
Jerry Smith is a salesman at Kings T-shirt shop located at M4VC+37 Myrtle Beach on Ocean Blvd. The store is open for business. He lives three blocks from the beach and said business has been normal and that they’ll be open for the weekend.
Oceanfront Bar & Grill at 100 9th Ave North is also open for business. bartender Colleen Yeckley said the bar and kitchen are open, but will close if the weather gets bad. Yeckley, who was sporting a pair of red rain boots and had her yellow rain jacket with her, said the restaurant decided to open because Oceanfront “can’t let the regulars get thirsty.”
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 12:11 PM.
