News Summary
Horry County and the Myrtle Beach area suffered significant damage from severe storms, affecting the Carolina Country Music Festival venue, community structures, and power lines. Emergency responders addressed calls for fallen trees and utility hazards while assessing the storm’s impact, including closed roads and temporary disruption to schools. Residents remain on alert for potential additional weather effects from Hurricane Helene, as authorities continue to monitor developing conditions. Many areas experienced power outages and flash flooding, urging the community to stay prepared.
Severe Storms Cause Damage in Horry County, Myrtle Beach Area
Horry County and the Myrtle Beach area faced significant damage from severe storms that swept through on Friday. Chief Meteorologist Jamie Arnold reported notable destruction at the Carolina Country Music Festival (CCMF) venue, where tents and fences were downed as a result of the intense weather conditions. In various locations across the county, community members shared images illustrating the aftermath of the storm, which included numerous fallen trees.
The storm’s impact extended to the streets, with a business sign collapsing onto a sidewalk along Ocean Boulevard. Due to sustained damage, the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area is now closed to vehicular access until further notice; however, foot traffic remains permitted. A tree also fell onto a residence in the Burgess community, causing damage to the roof, though fortunately, the homeowner was inside and uninjured during the incident.
Emergency responders from Horry County Fire Rescue handled multiple calls concerning downed trees and utility lines throughout the affected areas. Several roads became impassable following the storm, significantly affecting travel in various regions. Additionally, Horry County Electric reported power outages that arose from a tree falling onto a power line near Highway 501, leaving many residents without electricity.
As the severe weather unfolded, Horry County was under a tornado watch until 6 p.m. local time on Friday. An observation noted a tornado-like cloud formation above Highway 17, near the Carolina Forest area. Video footage captured strong winds lifting a tent structure at the Dunes Village Resort, endangering individuals nearby. Amid the storm, a local young girl amusingly reported on the weather while dressed in her pajamas, providing a lighthearted moment as residents sought shelter.
Authorities monitored ongoing rainfall-related impacts across Horry and Georgetown counties. In anticipation of the storm, schools in both counties closed on September 16, prompting Horry County Schools to shift to an eLearning format. Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College also suspended classes but planned to resume standard operations soon after.
As the area braces for more turbulent weather, the Myrtle Beach region is expected to experience effects from Hurricane Helene, with a tropical storm warning in effect for North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach. The National Weather Service has forecasted gusty winds, heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and isolated tornadoes in these locations. Earlier in the day, three consecutive tornado warnings were issued for the Myrtle Beach region, further heightening the urgency for local communities to remain cautious.
Later in the day, the National Weather Service downgraded the tropical storm warning for northeastern South Carolina as the severe weather began shifting toward North Carolina. Nevertheless, officials continue to advise residents to stay vigilant and prepared for further weather developments as conditions evolve.
In summary, Horry County and the Myrtle Beach area are recovering from severe storm damage, while residents and authorities remain on alert for possible additional impacts from the weather system affiliated with Hurricane Helene. Emergency services are addressing the resultant hazards, and community members are urged to take appropriate safety measures as conditions continue to change.
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Additional Resources
- WMBF News: Damages Reported in Horry County
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- Myrtle Beach Online: Weather News
- Google Search: Horry County weather
- Post and Courier: Tropical Storm Warning
- Google Scholar: Hurricane Helene
- WPDE: Severe Weather Authority Blog
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Impacts
- My Horry News: Tropical Storm Debby Updates
- Google News: Myrtle Beach storm damage
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
