News Summary
Search efforts continue for a 21-year-old swimmer who went missing in the Atlantic Ocean near North Myrtle Beach. While another swimmer was rescued, rescue teams are now expanding their search shoreline-wide amid a tropical storm watch. City officials remain hopeful for the missing swimmer’s safe return.
North Myrtle Beach – Search efforts are ongoing for a 21-year-old swimmer who went missing in the Atlantic Ocean near North Myrtle Beach on the night of July 2, 2025. The incident took place just before 8:30 p.m. off 48th Avenue South, where two male swimmers, ages 18 and 21, required rescue.
While the 18-year-old was successfully rescued and transported to the hospital for precautionary evaluation, the 21-year-old remains unaccounted for. Authorities have yet to release the names of the two swimmers involved in the incident.
Search operations initially concentrated on the Windy Hill and Cherry Grove areas but are now expanding to cover the entire shoreline of North Myrtle Beach. Rescue teams have employed various resources, including rescue swimmers and watercraft from the local fire and police departments, with additional assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, which deployed a helicopter for the search until it concluded at 11:30 p.m. on July 2. Police presence along the shoreline continued overnight until daybreak on July 3, ensuring ongoing safety and monitoring of conditions.
City officials have expressed hope regarding the missing swimmer’s recovery. The North Myrtle Beach fire department has extended their thoughts and prayers to the family of the missing swimmer, acknowledging the emotional toll of leaving the scene without confirming everyone’s safety.
The search for the missing swimmer is complicated by a tropical storm watch issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for the Myrtle Beach area, effective until Saturday at 7 a.m. Tropical Depression Three, which may become Tropical Storm Chantal, is expected to impact the region with wind gusts reaching 35 to 45 mph. Rainfall in the area is projected to be between 1 and 2 inches, with some areas anticipating more severe flooding. Local authorities are advising residents about potential hazards tied to this weather system.
Coastal communities stretching from Edisto Beach to Little River Inlet are on alert for conditions similar to those experienced during Tropical Storm Colin in 2022. The NWS has cautioned of hazardous wind conditions, possible tree damage, power outages, and hazardous driving due to debris and flooding resulting from the storm.
In preparation for the severe weather, nearby educational institutions and government offices have closed, with authorities closely monitoring river levels and preparing for potential minor flooding in certain areas.
As the situation develops, search efforts for the missing swimmer will continue alongside storm preparations, highlighting the urgent need for both search and rescue operations as well as community safety measures in the face of impending weather challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Search Ongoing for Missing Swimmer in North Myrtle Beach
Missing Swimmer Search Efforts Continue at North Myrtle Beach
Four Swimmers Rescued from Ocean in North Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Police Investigate Body Found in Waterway
Myrtle Beach Community Mourns the Loss of Local Teen
Tragic Incident at Myrtle Beach: One Swimmer Rescued, Search Ongoing for Disappeared Teen
Divers Resume Search for Missing Woman in Lake Greenwood, One Week after Disappearance
Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: North Myrtle Beach
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Google Search: Tropical Storm Warning
- Fox Weather
- Google Scholar: Weather Warnings
- The Weather Channel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tropical Storm
- Post and Courier
- Google News: North Myrtle Beach
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.
