Hurricane Irma Notice - Sept. 6 - 4:00 P.M.

S.C. Governor Henry McMaster declared a “state of emergency” today, September 6, following information from state forecasters who warned Hurricane Irma could be a “major hurricane” when and if it reaches South Carolina.

The executive order permits state agencies to coordinate their efforts if a weather emergency arises.

OVERVIEW FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

While a turn to the north is looking more and more likely by later this weekend, the uncertainty with the track and subsequent impacts remains high, especially for the Carolinas.

IMPACTS

It’s too early to tell what specific surge, wind, rainfall, and tornado impacts could occur. However, regardless of the ultimate track of the storm the combination of above normal astronomical tides and large wave action is likely to cause beach erosion, which can further damage vulnerable coastal infrastructure previously damaged by Matthew.

KEY POINTS

-- People should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place. The time for initial preparations is now. Please monitor official and credible sources for further information.

-- Ensure that your supplies are in order and know what your family would do if evacuations are ordered.

-- Remember that there are large track errors in long-range hurricane predictions. Also, the error cone is not an impact cone. Impacts can occur outside of this cone.

PLAN AHEAD

If you do not have a plan, we recommend that you visit www.ready.gov which offers good advice on how to prepare for a hurricane. The storm is still far enough out that you do have time to effectively prepare for it, should it head this way.

KNOW YOUR "ZONE"

IF an evacuation is ordered in the future (none has been ordered at this time), the order will refer to Zones. If you are not familiar with the Zone in which you reside in Horry County or North Myrtle Beach, you can access the information via this link:https://tinyurl.com/y9nj6mlb If the link does not work for your, visitwww.HorryCounty.org.

As we learn more, we will post information that pertains to our area on www.nmb.us, Facebook/cityofnmb and Twitter @cityofnmb. We will also continue to use our Email News Groups.

Hurricane Irma - Sept. 6 10:00 A.M. Update

Irma remains a deadly hurricane.

At this point in its history, most tracking models show Irma interacting with the U.S. Exactly where that first contact will occur is still unknown. At this point what is known is that contact with the South Carolina coast is still a viable possibility.

Remain alert to this storm. Make preparations now, so that IF the storm does head our way, and IF an evacuation order is given, you are not running around taking care of business at the last moment.

If you do not have a plan, we recommend that you visitwww.ready.gov which offers good advice on how to prepare for a hurricane. The storm is still far enough out that you do have time to effectively prepare for it, should it head this way.

IF an evacuation is ordered in the future (none has been ordered at this time), the order will refer to Zones. If you are not familiar with the Zone in which you reside in Horry County or North Myrtle Beach, you can access the information via this link:https://tinyurl.com/y9nj6mlbIf the link does not work for your, visitwww.HorryCounty.org.

As we learn more, we will post information that pertains to our area on www.nmb.us, Facebook/cityofnmb and Twitter @cityofnmb. We will also continue to use our Email News Groups.

Hurricane Irma Notice - Sept. 5, 10:30 A.M.

Hurricane Irma is now a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph with higher gusts.

Irma is a deadly storm, and the final track that it will take is still very unclear. The latest model runs (see photo) have been consistent with the storm moving to the West-North-West and then making a rather abrupt turn to the North in about five days.

When reading tracking projections, don't just focus on the black dots that represent the hurricane but also the broader area defined by, in this case, the white lines. This is the "cone of uncertainty"-- the hurricane has the potential to track toward any area encompassed by this cone. Normally, as the days progress, this "cone" will shrink as the many tracking models begin to agree on more specific landfall information. But that does not always happen. Hurricane Matthew was a good example of that.

Our best advice at this point in time is to develop your plan-- where will you go if it is finally determined that the storm will head this way? Do you have gas in your car? Do you have your valuable papers (insurance, etc.) collected so that you can take them with you? If you take medications, do you have a supply to last you at least two weeks? What will you do with your pets? And more.

If you do not have a plan, we recommend that you visitwww.ready.gov which offers good advice on how to prepare for a hurricane. The storm is still far enough out that you do have time to effectively prepare for it, should it head this way.

As we learn more, we will post information that pertains to our area on www.nmb.us, Facebook/cityofnmb and Twitter @cityofnmb. We will also continue to use our Email News Groups.

September North Myrtle Beach Tree of the Month

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board has selected a pink Flowering Dogwood located at the home of Wayne and Pinky Wilson, 703 9th Avenue South, as its Tree of the Month for September.

The Dogwood is native to the southeastern United States. It grows well in sandy soil and has few serious pest problems. It does best in partial shade like the under-story of large Pines and Oaks.

The Dogwood’s April flowers range in color from white to ruby red, depending on the variety of the tree, but nearly all have scarlet leaves and red berries in the fall of the year. 

Though difficult to transplant, Flowering Dogwoods make excellent landscape specimens once established.

Property owners and developers who are interested in finding out more about how they can preserve trees on their property are invited to contact the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board at nmbtreeboard@nmb.us.

The Tree of the Month program began in 2010 as a way to recognize trees within the city that have been preserved over the years. It also provides a platform to remind people of the benefits and importance that trees offer in our everyday lives.

If you think you have the biggest, prettiest, or most unusual tree in North Myrtle Beach, or that your tree has a unique story attached to it, the Tree City Board encourages you to contact Parks & Grounds Superintendent Jim Grainger at (843) 280-5571 or via email atnmbtreeboard@nmb.us.

North Myrtle Beach Fire Battalion Chief Mike Davis Deploys to Texas as Part of Type 3 Incident Management Team

North Myrtle Beach Fire Battalion Chief Mike Davis (see photo) is headed to Texas as part of a Type 3 incident management team. He will leave from Florence, SC at noon today and will be deployed for 14 to 19 days.

When Mike's team is assembled, they will find out where they are going in Texas and the exact nature of their mission, and we will share that with you.

A Type 3 incident management team is a multi-agency/multi-jurisdictional team used for extended incidents. It is formed and managed at the local, state or tribal level and includes a designated team of trained personnel from different departments, organizations, agencies and jurisdictions.

Several days ago North Myrtle Beach Firefighter/EMT Thomas Brady deployed to Houston, Texas and is working as part of the South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team.

Enjoy the "Brickhouse Band" in a FREE August 31 concert at the Horseshoe on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach

You are invited to enjoy the BrickHouse Band in a free August 31, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. concert at the Horseshoe on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.

Music style: Variety hits.

Bring a beach chair.

The free concert is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Music on Main summer concert series sponsored by Coastal Carolina National Bank (CCNB).

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594, follow on Facebook, or visit their website http://parks.nmb.us

Tropical Storm Watch - August 28 Morning Update

This information from the National Weather Service covers Northeastern South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 10 continues to develop off the Georgia coast and may strengthen as it moves north.

**Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 10 may bring heavy rain and gusty winds to portions of coastal South and North Carolina**

CURRENT INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Brunswick, Coastal Georgetown, Coastal Horry, Coastal New Hanover, Coastal Pender, Inland Brunswick, Inland Georgetown, Inland Horry, Inland New Hanover, and Inland Pender.

* STORM INFORMATION:
About 330 miles southwest of Wilmington NC or about 260 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach SC
- 30.3N 81.0W
- Storm Intensity 35 mph
- Movement Stationary

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 10 is located off the Georgia coast, and is expected to move along the coast of South and North Carolina this afternoon through Tuesday morning. Winds may increase to tropical storm force as the storm`s center moves by, with rainfall amounts of six inches or more possible. This system is not yet well defined, and considerable uncertainty remains with exactly how organized this system could become in the time remaining before reaching our area.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across coastal South and North Carolina. Potential impacts include:
- Moderate flooding from rainfall may prompt some evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and streams may rise and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in the typical prone locations. Small creeks and ditches may overflow.
- Flood waters may enter some structures. Underpasses, low-lying spots along roadways, and poor drainage areas may become submerged by rising water. Some secondary streets and parking lots may flood as storm drains and retention ponds overflow.
- Driving conditions will become hazardous, and some road closures can be expected.
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across coastal South and North Carolina.

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across coastal South and North Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes is possible. Unsecured lightweight objects may be blown about.
- Some large limbs may break from trees. A few shallow rooted or weak trees may snap or be knocked down. Some fences and roadway signs damaged.
- A few roads may become blocked due to debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded locations. Hazardous driving conditions are possible, especially for high profile vehicles on bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages are possible.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across coastal South and North Carolina. Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions.
- Tornadoes can cause damage to trees, vehicles, boats, and buildings. Unsecured mobile homes and poorly constructed structures are particularly vulnerable.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
No evacuations are in effect at this time.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties which must be taken into account.

Be a Good Samaritan and check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast as this is still a developing storm.

NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Wilmington NC around 11:30 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.