Myrtle Beach on High Alert as Hurricane Helene Approaches with Tornado Warnings and Heavy Flooding Risks

Myrtle Beach Braces for Hurricane Helene

Hey Myrtle Beach! It’s no surprise that we’re feeling the effects of Hurricane Helene. The National Weather Service has put North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach under a tropical storm warning. With gusty winds, heavy rain, and the lovely threat of flooding and isolated tornadoes, it’s safe to say we’re in for a wild ride! 🌧️

The Morning Update

Friday started off with a bang here in Myrtle Beach. We saw not one, not two, but three consecutive tornado warnings hitting the area! How crazy is that? Alerts were flashing on our phones, and community members jumped into action to share updates on social media, showcasing some of the damage that was starting to unfold.

In the Burgess community, the wind made quite the entrance as a tree crashed onto a house. Horry County Fire Rescue answered the call at 8:07 a.m. to a home on Laguna Point. Thankfully, the resident was home but safe, although their roof may not be as lucky after a hefty tree limb decided to take a dive! Also, many folks are commenting on how dangerous some areas are becoming, with downed trees and utility lines causing some roads to be completely impassable.

Power Outages and Close Calls

Our friends at Horry County Electric, Inc. shared some alarming updates. They posted pictures of a massive tree that fell over a power line off Highway 501 near Aynor, leaving many residents in the dark. Keep those flashlights handy, folks! And just a heads up, we’re still under a tornado watch until 6 p.m. today, so a little extra caution is never a bad idea.

Storm Watching

Throughout the storm, the Myrtle Beach community has come together by sharing their experiences. There were reports of tornado-like clouds spotted over Highway 17, heading towards Carolina Forest, which sent shivers down a few spines! And speaking of clouds, how about that scene over at the Dunes Village Resort? Someone caught a tent taking flight due to those crazy winds! It was quite the sight to see, but maybe not so fun for the people who got a surprise from the flying tent!

Kudos to the Resilience Spirit

But here’s the thing I love about our Myrtle Beach community: we’ve got spirit! 🌊 Some folks took the storm in stride and made the best of the situation. One cute little girl even delivered her own weather report, decked out in her weather-themed pajamas! It’s hard not to smile in the face of adversity when you’ve got cuteness like that around. And others have taken a moment to enjoy the storm, sharing videos while they sip coffee from their oceanfront balconies. Who says you can’t enjoy a little breeze while observing Mother Nature’s fury?

Staying Safe

As we navigate through Hurricane Helene’s effects, safety is the name of the game. Make sure you’re staying updated on weather alerts, keep those batteries charged, and remember that it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Let’s look out for one another, Myrtle Beach! We may have a storm to weather, but we also have community strength to lean on.

Take care out there, and let’s hope Helene decides to move on without too much more drama! 🌀