Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach Faces King Tide Challenges
This week, the vibrant community of North Myrtle Beach found itself dancing with the tides as Tropical Storm Helene made her move up the coast. While Helene spared our gorgeous Myrtle Beach area the brunt of her force, she definitely left her mark on neighboring coastal communities, particularly in North Carolina where torrential rains soaked the ground.
Hog Inlet Takes Charge
On Monday evening, Hog Inlet didn’t hold back, overflowing its banks and reminding us just how powerful Mother Nature can be. The salt marsh crept up, flooding roads and whimsically splashing under stilt homes in the Cherry Grove area. Some trash cans—thankfully emptied just that morning—were seen floating down the streets like they were on a Sunday boat ride!
Drivers had a mixed response to the watery chaos. Some were smart and chose to take detours around the flooded spots, but you could spot a few adventurous souls driving their cars and even golf carts right through the salty water! A handful of locals waved their arms and shouted warnings to slow down, fearing that the waves created by these vehicles might lead to even further damage to homes.
What’s Up with King Tides?
For those not in the know, what we’re experiencing now is part of a phenomenon called “King Tides.” The term is not exactly scientific, but it’s commonly used to describe those super high tides that show up every year when the sun, moon, and Earth all align during a full or new moon. The latest full moon falls on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and this week we’re looking at higher-than-average tides all around the area.
Locals are usually well-prepared for Mother Nature’s little surprises, knowing to keep valuable items on higher ground and to steer clear of any saltwater-flooded roads. However, it can catch visitors off guard, leading to some uncomfortable surprises.
A Friendly Reminder for Golf Cart Users
Speaking of surprises, Nicholle Ford, who manages Salty Fry’s Golf Carts in North Myrtle, shared an important tip for anyone using golf carts. Saltwater can wreak havoc on golf carts, causing batteries to overheat and even potentially catching fire. She explained that if a cart gets flooded, fixing it later is more of a headache than it’s worth. As a precaution, she had her team out early Sunday morning removing all rental carts from the Cherry Grove area.
“It’s a huge issue,” Ford said. “But we try to stay ahead of it.” Wise words indeed!
Tide Charts and Predictions
For those not always glued to the tide charts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides daily tidal predictions for various spots along the Grand Strand. Knowledgeable residents from places like Cherry Grove, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, and Pawleys Island keep a close eye on these predictions. Since they know all too well that flooding is often likely when predicted tides approach six feet, they’re alert and ready.
This week, Cherry Grove is gearing up for a predicted high tide of 6.35 feet on Friday morning, Sept. 20. Make sure to plan accordingly, folks!
So whether you’re a local or just passing through, stay safe and take the necessary precautions while enjoying the beautiful coast of Myrtle Beach amidst the wild whims of the tides. Remember, it’s all part of the beach life we cherish!
