Myrtle Beach Rebounds After Tropical Storm Helene: A Community Update

Myrtle Beach Braces for Tropical Storm Helene

Well, folks, we had quite the whirlwind come through our neck of the woods on September 27, 2024! As Tropical Storm Helene made her presence felt, residents of the Grand Strand woke up to tornado warnings and, unfortunately, some power outages. But hey, it could have been a lot worse! Local officials are saying we came out relatively unscathed compared to other areas in South Carolina. “We’re pretty fortunate,” noted Horry County Emergency Management spokesman, Thomas Bell. “Clearly it packed a punch where it wanted to.”

What Happened?

So, let’s break it down. The storm brought tornado warnings for places like Andrews, Pawleys Island, and Plantersville before 7:30 in the morning. As the hours went by, places like Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, and yes, even Myrtle Beach were under the weather’s radar. Fortunately, there were no confirmed tornado touchdowns in our area—thank goodness for that!

Wind and Trees

According to the National Weather Service, we experienced wind gusts of just over 50 mph here in Horry and Georgetown counties. This wind played havoc mainly by knocking down trees and limbs. Georgetown County spokeswoman Jackie Broach mentioned that most of the damage was indeed from downed trees, but reassuringly noted that all major roads remained open. Now that’s some good news!

At one point, over 11,500 residents were without power in Horry and Georgetown Counties. By the afternoon, that number dramatically dropped to under 3,000. Most outages were reported in Georgetown County, which faced some minor flooding issues as well.

What’s Next?

As we were all trying to shake off the storm’s effects, meteorologists were keeping an eye on the rivers. According to them, the Black Creek, Cape Fear, Lumber, and Pee Dee rivers may see some minor flooding this week due to all the rain we’ve had. Also, let’s not forget about the Waccamaw River at Conway, which is another one to watch!

School and Events Update

In light of the situation, schools across Horry and Georgetown counties were closed, prompting students to take up eLearning for the day. Horry-Georgetown Technical College also shifted to remote learning. Talk about a big change in plans for our local learners!

In addition, schools and local events had to adapt as well; Waccamaw High initially planned to host a football game against Stall that day, and Georgetown High was set to face May River. However, both games got canceled as a precaution. And for those looking to enjoy some chili at the Beach ’n Chili Fest in Myrtle Beach, the events scheduled for September 27 were also canceled, but they’ve moved their Community Challenge cook-off to September 28. Sounds like good ol’ fun is still to be had this weekend!

Looking Ahead

As we continue to clean up and assess the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, it’s important to remember that while we’re all affected in different ways, the spirit of Myrtle Beach is resilient! The fall bike rally is still on track for October 6, so mark your calendars! Let’s enjoy the upcoming beautiful weather as it shapes up to be generally sunny despite a few clouds. Highs are expected to reach around 84°F with some light breezes.

If you find yourself out and about this weekend soaking up the sunshine, stay safe and keep your eyes peeled for any lingering storm debris. And remember, community is key, so let’s support each other as we move forward together!