News Summary
Myrtle Beach is ready for summer beachgoers, but caution is needed. With risks from bacteria and jellyfish in the water, it’s essential to follow beach warning flags and maintain awareness of water quality. Specific groups, including children and the immunocompromised, should exercise extra caution. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency advises on sun safety and rip current risks are a significant concern at Grand Strand beaches.
Precautions Highlighted for Safe Beach Season in Grand Strand
As summer rolls in, the vibrant city of Myrtle Beach is once again ready to welcome beach lovers from far and wide! However, before you run into the shimmering waves, it’s essential to be aware of some potential bumpy spots that might take the joy out of your sandy getaway.
Beaches Open, But Risks Lurk
The stunning Grand Strand coastline is open for all your summer fun, but caution is key. Along the beautiful 60 miles of shoreline, various hazards are popping up, ranging from pesky bacteria to the occasional jellyfish that can send a prickly shockwave through your beach experience.
To keep everyone safe and sound, Myrtle Beach has a system of helpful beach warning flags to communicate conditions to beachgoers. Here’s the scoop on what each flag means:
- Green flags signal calm waters, so splash away!
- Yellow flags mean you should be aware of medium hazards, like a moderate surf or rip currents.
- Single red flags come with a warning of significant hazards such as strong currents or high surf—better rethink that swim.
- Double red flags indicate that the water is closed to the public, making it a no-go zone for swimming.
- Blue flags alert you to other dangers, like jellyfish lurking beneath the surface.
While most areas along the Grand Strand are generally safe for fun, some spots might not be swimmable after a heavy rainfall. To keep it safe, experts recommend steering clear of submerging your head within 200 feet of swashes and other advisory areas.
Who Should Be Extra Careful?
Everyone deserves to have fun in the sun, but certain individuals should be particularly cautious this beach season. If you have open wounds, are taking care of children, or are immunocompromised, it’s best to stay alert and consider avoiding the waves. The elderly should also keep these warnings in mind to ensure an enjoyable beach day.
Even if swimming is off the table, fear not! You can still indulge in activities like fishing, collecting shells, or strolling along the surf without worrying about potential hazards.
Keeping an Eye on Water Quality
The water’s cleanliness is a significant concern, and to help keep it in check, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services runs weekly tests from May through October to monitor levels of enterococci, a type of intestinal bacteria. If any temporary advisories pop up from testing, they typically last only one or two days. Long-term advisories do exist at a few locations, where over 10% of enterococcus data has exceeded recreational use standards in the past five years. Right now, there are 18 such alerts in place.
Stay Sun Safe!
As you bask in the sun, don’t forget about your skin! The Environmental Protection Agency’s UV index is a handy tool to check daily before you head out. A UV index below 3 is considered low, so you’re in the clear. If it falls between 3 and 5, some precautions are needed—like wearing sunscreen or a hat. But if the index hits the highs of 5 and above, it’s time to ramp up your sun protection routine! Choose sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and remember to reapply every two hours or after a swim to keep those rays at bay.
Watch Out for Rip Currents!
The National Weather Service has issued a high rip current risk for all Grand Strand beaches, so it’s crucial to heed those flag warnings. Lifeguards are always spotting for trouble, so take their lead on safety!
Shade Policy Discussions
There’s been some discussion about Shibumi beach shades currently being banned in Myrtle Beach. Concerns arise over these larger shading devices obstructing lifeguards’ views, potentially slowing their response in emergencies. North Myrtle Beach allows only umbrellas now during peak season to prioritize everyone’s safety and visibility.
As summer unfolds, creating a safe balance between providing shade for beachgoers and ensuring the tremendous public safety remains an ongoing conversation. With these tips in mind and the right precautions taken, you’re bound to have an amazing beach season in Grand Strand!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Grand Strand Water Authority Conducts Annual Water Line Flushing
Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online
- WBTW News
- My Horry News
- WBTW News: Beach Safety
- WPDE News
- Wikipedia: Myrtle Beach
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach Weather
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Myrtle Beach
- Google News: Myrtle Beach Safety
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.
