Scammers impersonating Santee Cooper are targeting business and residential customers

Scammers are targeting business and residential customers, and Santee Cooper don't want you to become a victim of fraud.

Many businesses and residents in the area are being hit by scammers identifying themselves as representing Santee Cooper.

We ask you to be on high alert! Never pay if you are called and asked to pay within a specific time frame or with a specific type of payment (card). 

Please go to a local office or call Santee Cooper's local number (843-249-3505) to verify or make any payment.

Remember, Santee Cooper will NEVER:

• Ask you to supply your credit card number unless you are applying for new service and require a security deposit
• Request banking information unless you initiate the conversation
•  Email or text you and demand payment
• Ask you to pay through a money transfer or with a prepaid credit/debit card
• Make forceful demands for immediate payment and threaten to show up at your business or residence

If you happen to receive a call and feel pressured, hang up and call one of Santee Cooper's Customer Care representatives at 843-249-3505. Do NOT use the number provided to you by the caller.

Hurricane Debris Removal Update

City of North Myrtle Beach, SC - Oct. 17, 2016

The City has selected a debris collection monitoring firm and a debris collection firm. They should begin to mobilize gradually toward the end of this week, as both contractors hire personnel and they learn the federally required collection and monitoring system. They should be out in full force early next week.

Toward the end of this week we have meetings scheduled with both contractors and should emerge with a basic collection schedule. We believe at this point that the contractors will probably work 12 hour shifts.

Again, the debris collection contractor is not allowed to pick up bagged yard debris. However, the City will ultimately collect the bagged yard debris they leave behind. If you are still moving yard debris to curbside, please do not bag it.

Thanks for your patience. This process has to be accomplished in accordance with federal guidelines, which in the end ensures accountability and protects everyone involved.

Private Roads and Storm Debris Pickup

City of North Myrtle Beach, Sc - October 17, 2016

We have been asked if private roads will be included in storm debris pickup through the federal program, and the answer at this time is no. HOWEVER, the city of North Myrtle Beach has applied to the federal government for a waiver that, if granted, would allow private roads to be included in the storm debris pickup. We will let you know of the federal government's decision once we have received it.

North Myrtle Beach Paving Improvements Begin Monday, October 17 on Selected Roads

The City has an existing paving contract with Palmetto Paving for paving improvements on the following streets:

·       Nixon Street from 20^th Avenue North to 34^th Avenue North

·       31^st Avenue North from Nixon Street to the marsh

·       Lake Drive from 39^th Avenue North to 53^rd Avenue North

·       52^nd Avenue North

·       53^rd Avenue North

·       59^th Avenue North

The paving is scheduled to begin Monday October 17 and must be completed by the end of November to meet SCDOT pavement restrictions.

Prior to Monday, the City will clear ALL debris along the rights-of-way of the streets to be paved in an effort to preserve the new pavement from being damaged by the large trucks that will soon be used for debris removal under the federal disaster declaration.

Guidelines on Placing Debris at Curbside in North Myrtle Beach

Following FEMA regulations, the City of North Myrtle Beach is in the final stages of hiring a debris monitoring contractor and a debris collection contractor. The former will monitor the latter as it picks up hurricane related debris in North Myrtle Beach.

The process entails a slight pickup delay, but the general result is that FEMA may absorb about 85% of debris collection costs that occur within the first 30 days following the start of the hurricane event (the October 4 evacuation order). The city pays the remaining costs.

We will soon put out the collection schedule.

In the meantime, please see the attached graphics provided by the firm that will be collecting debris in North Myrtle Beach. They show how and where to place debris.

North Myrtle Beach EOC Public Phone Line To Be Disconnected at 5 PM October 13

City of North Myrtle Beach

The North Myrtle Beach Emergency Operations Center public phone Line (843-281-3705) will be disconnected at 5:00 p.m. October 13.

After 5:00 p.m., people may call the regular Public Safety dispatch phone at 843-280-5511 for non-emergencies.

Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Disaster Declaration for Horry County

The U.S. Small Business Administration has added more counties to the disaster declaration in North and South Carolina affected by Hurricane Matthew that began on Oct. 4, 2016.

The disaster declaration now covers the counties of Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Hoke,Johnston, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, Robeson, Wayne and Wilson in North Carolina, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.  Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Brunswick, Chowan, Craven, Duplin, Franklin, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Martin, Moore, Northampton, Pamlico, Pender, Richmond, Sampson, Scotland, Wake, Warren, and Washington in North Carolina; Dillon, Horry and  Marlboro in South Carolina.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA's secure website.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov.  If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.